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Synonyms

seclusion

American  
[si-kloo-zhuhn] / sɪˈklu ʒən /

noun

  • seclusions
    plural
  1. an act of secluding.

    the seclusion of unruly students.

  2. the state of being secluded; retirement; solitude.

    He sought seclusion in his study.

  3. a secluded place.


seclusion British  
/ sɪˈkluːʒən /

noun

  1. the act of secluding or the state of being secluded

  2. a secluded place

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns


Etymology

Origin of seclusion

1615–25; < Medieval Latin sēclūsiōn- (stem of sēclūsiō ) < Latin sēclūs ( us ) (past participle of sēclūdere to seclude ) + -iōn- -ion


Explanation

Seclusion means being separate, and apart from others, in a quiet kind of way. If you want seclusion, try a private island. The word seclusion implies privacy as well as separateness. An island with no other islands around it or a cabin in the middle of a forest will offer you seclusion if you need to get away from other people. Some nations have a policy of seclusion — they do not allow people, products, or ideas to cross their borders and enter the country.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing seclusion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The Coastal Commission also required the county to stop allowing motorized vehicle access on the sand, infuriating locals who have long ridden onto the beach to go fishing and enjoy the rural seclusion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

“Thoughtfully positioned to embrace its extraordinary surroundings, the home offers an intimate connection to the coastline while maintaining a level of seclusion that is increasingly difficult to find.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

The BBC also uncovered documents showing staff did record the use of seclusion for some pupils at Whitefield.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Rushdie lived in seclusion in London for a decade after the 1989 fatwa, but for the past 20 years -- until the attack -- lived relatively normally in New York.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

It seemed to me, rather senselessly, that I was allowing him a few more moments of seclusion.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

The report says that programs around the country have reduced restraints and seclusions as well as problem behavior using other strategies to calm students.

From Newsweek ● Feb. 13, 2015

The report outlined 14 recommendations for reducing the number of restraints and seclusions across the state.

From Newsweek ● Feb. 13, 2015

Collecting and publicly reporting the numbers of seclusions and restraints was a good first step, Diaz said.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 17, 2015

Scythrop grew every day more reserved, mysterious, and distrait; and gradually lengthened the duration of his diurnal seclusions in his tower.

From Nightmare Abbey by Thomas Love Peacock

After his voluntary seclusions, he suddenly reappeared in his usual haunts, active and feverish as ever, note-book ready to hand, in which he jotted down his thoughts, discoveries, and observations for future use.

From Balzac by Frederick Lawton

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