separation

noun

sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated
2
a
: a point, line, or means of division
b
: an intervening space : gap
the separation between wheel spokes
3
a
: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement or judicial decree
b
: termination of a contractual relationship (such as employment or military service)

Examples of separation in a Sentence

After a separation of 30 years, she visited her family in Cuba. Moving away meant separation from his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The case to voters citywide: La Jolla must pay millions to San Diego in separation costs that, along with the city not having to spend money in La Jolla, can help cover the budget gap and improve services elsewhere. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025 The Current will have at least five points of separation atop the league standings depending on the rest of the weekend’s results. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025 The Defense Department has incentivized volunteers with promises of larger separation payouts. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 Americans were also divided over what their separation means for the country, according to the survey, which has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for separation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of separation was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Separation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the act or process of separating : the state of being separated
2
a
: a point or line of division
b
: a space that comes between things : gap
the separation between wheel spokes
3
a
: a formal separating of spouses by agreement but without divorce
b
: the ending of a relationship that is bound by a contract (as employment or military service)

Medical Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: the process of isolating or extracting from or of becoming isolated from a mixture
also : the resulting state
2

Legal Definition

separation

noun
sep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce separation (audio)
1
: cessation of cohabitation between a married couple by mutual agreement with intent that it be permanent
also : legal separation compare divorce

Note: In some cases in which the estrangement is extreme, a separation is considered to have occurred even when the couple retain the same residence if they have stopped communicating and engaging in sexual relations and intend to be separated.

2
: termination of a contractual relationship (as employment or military service)

More from Merriam-Webster on separation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!