isolation
Americannoun
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isolations
plural
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an act or instance of isolating.
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the state of being isolated.
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the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.
- Synonyms:
- segregation
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the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.
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Psychoanalysis. a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.
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Sociology. social isolation.
noun
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the act of isolating or the condition of being isolated
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(of a country, party, etc) nonparticipation in or withdrawal from international politics
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med
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social separation of a person who has or is suspected of having a contagious disease Compare quarantine
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( as modifier )
an isolation hospital
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sociol a lack of contact between persons, groups, or whole societies
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social psychol the failure of an individual to maintain contact with others or genuine communication where interaction with others persists
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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
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Western Europe - Middle School and High School
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Australia and New Zealand - Introductory
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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:
Belgal remains in isolation at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn with a bullet still lodged in his neck, according to his lawyers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
And yet, despite all the tirades thrown Tanden’s way, the isolation doesn’t bother her.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
I suggest, unoriginally, that what we call the West emerged from, and is sustained by, the continuing tension between Athens and Jerusalem, not either in isolation from the other.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
East Riding of Yorkshire Council said its Wellbeing for Us programme, aimed at residents aged 18 and over, was designed to help people build confidence and make meaningful social connections, while reducing isolation.
From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026
He is given a bath, which calms him some, and put to bed in an isolation room.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
File on 4 Investigates the use of internal isolations in secondary schools in England and hears from parents and students who say such techniques are affecting their mental health.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Shayewitz drew up all kinds of plays for Wells, isolations and post-ups and everything in between.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 16, 2023
The Celtics frequently run isolations, ranking near the top of the N.B.A. during the regular season, while Golden State was near the bottom.
From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2022
With four minutes to play, Boston and Jackson were chest-bumping at midcourt after Boston’s fourth three-pointer pushed the Clippers ahead by eight, their lead generated by Jackson’s one-on-one isolations against Jokic.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2022
Single file is the invariable rule in all these mountain excursions, and after a time the isolations of this mode of travelling adds to its wearisomeness.
From An American Girl Abroad by Adeline Trafton
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
