separation

[sep-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of separating or the state of being separated.

2. a place, line, or point of parting.

3. a gap, hole, rent, or the like.

4. something that separates or divides.

5. Law.

   1. cessation of conjugal cohabitation, as by mutual consent.

   2. judicial separation.

6. Aerospace.,  the time or act of releasing a burned-out stage of a rocket or missile from the remainder.

7. Photography.,  separation negative.

separation

/ ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of separating or state of being separated

2. the place or line where a separation is made

3. a gap that separates

4. family law the cessation of cohabitation between a man and wife, either by mutual agreement or under a decree of a court Compare judicial separation divorce

5. 1. the act of jettisoning a burnt-out stage of a multistage rocket

   2. the instant at which such a stage is jettisoned

Other Word Forms

• nonseparation noun
• preseparation noun
• reseparation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of separation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin sēparātiōn- (stem of sēparātiō ), equivalent to sēparāt ( us ) separate + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

In July 2025, a study from the University of California, Riverside, stated that “even the threat of separation can generate profound emotional harm” for children of immigrant families.

Read more on Salon

Under Armour said it doesn’t expect the separation with Curry to significantly affect its financial results or profits.

Read more on MarketWatch

The company said Thursday the separation will allow it to focus on its namesake brand, with plans to develop new basketball products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Arab countries have already expressed concerns that the current separation could become a permanent partition of Gaza.

Read more on BBC

They additionally imposed new rules on travellers, requiring separation of men and women, particularly on public transportation, and requiring women to wear veils.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• departure 
• disengagement 
• dissolution 
• divorce 
• estrangement 
• partition 
• segregation 
• split