isolation
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of isolating.
-
the state of being isolated.
-
the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.
- Synonyms:
- segregation
-
the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.
-
Psychoanalysis. a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.
-
Sociology. social isolation.
noun
-
the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated
-
(of a country, party, etc) nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international politics
-
med
-
social separation of a person who has or is suspected of having a contagious disease Compare quarantine
-
( as modifier )
an isolation hospital
-
-
sociol a lack of contact between persons, groups, or whole societies
-
social psychol the failure of an individual to maintain contact with others or genuine communication where interaction with others persists
-
without regard to context, similar matters, etc
Synonym Usage
See solitude.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of isolation
Explanation
Isolation means completely alone, like the stranded skiers who were in total isolation after an avalanche stranded them at the top of a mountain. People who live in isolation are completely cut off from the rest of the world, like the hermit who lives in a lonely mountain cabin because no one understands his desire to collect thimbles. A really contagious illness can land patients in isolation at their local hospital, kept separate from the rest of the hospital so they don't share their disease with the other patients. A country can exist in isolation, left alone because other nations don't agree with its policies.
Vocabulary lists containing isolation
Western Europe - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Western Europe - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Australia and New Zealand - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
As much as the developers behind this technology tout its ability to bring users closer together, AI chatbots merely fuel our isolation.
From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026
A public tired of hoarding toilet paper in isolation lived it up.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 27, 2026
For remote workers living alone, that isolation has compounding effects that ripple far beyond their professional lives.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 27, 2026
To address that, the department is exploring volunteer networks and community programmes to tackle isolation among the elderly.
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
Frustration at his isolation maybe—or maybe just wanting to bring a sliver of his old life into his new one.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
