separation
noun
sep·a·ra·tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən 
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)
Synonyms
- bifurcation
- breakup
- cleavage
- dissolution
- disunion
- division
- fractionalization
- fractionation
- partition
- schism
- scission
- split
- sundering
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
After a separation of 30 years, she visited her family in Cuba. Moving away meant separation from his family.
Recent Examples on the Web The statement came in response to Musk claiming that Twitter’s failure to disclose a $7.7 million separation payout to its former head of security represented a breach of the purchase agreement. 
Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022 Texas called a great defensive gameplan, but the Tide wide receivers’ collective inability to get separation and open is worrisome, to say the least. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2022 As Page Six first reported, speculation about a possible separation began in July after the model was seen running errands without her wedding ring. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 That is not, though, the only factor in separation at the line. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 The separation will take effect by the end of next year. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Lionsgate has been exploring its options for Starz, including a possible separation of the pay TV and streaming business and its studio operations. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 Izor-Obarski owns property that runs right up to the public beach without separation by dunes. Chris Kuo And Lauren Peace, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 My hope is that somebody is playing unbelievable and the other is playing really good and that’s the separation. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 See More
Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022 Texas called a great defensive gameplan, but the Tide wide receivers’ collective inability to get separation and open is worrisome, to say the least. John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2022 As Page Six first reported, speculation about a possible separation began in July after the model was seen running errands without her wedding ring. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 That is not, though, the only factor in separation at the line. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 The separation will take effect by the end of next year. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Lionsgate has been exploring its options for Starz, including a possible separation of the pay TV and streaming business and its studio operations. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 Izor-Obarski owns property that runs right up to the public beach without separation by dunes. Chris Kuo And Lauren Peace, Sun Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2022 My hope is that somebody is playing unbelievable and the other is playing really good and that’s the separation. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing separation
Kids Definition
separation
noun
sep·a·ra·tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the act of setting or pulling apart : the state of being set or pulled apart
2
: a point or line at which something is divided
3
: a space between
The buildings have a narrow separation.
Medical Definition
separation
noun
sep·a·ra·tion ˌsep-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: the process of isolating or extracting from or of becoming isolated from a mixture
also : the resulting state
2
: dislocation see shoulder separation
Legal Definition
separation
noun
sep·a·ra·tion ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən
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)
separation
noun
1
as in dissolution
the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces the separation of Norway and Sweden into two independent nations in 1905 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dissolution
- breakup
- split
- partition
- division
- fractionation
- schism
- dispersion
- bifurcation
- fractionalization
- cleavage
- disunion
- divorce
- dispersal
- sundering
- segregation
- polarization
- decomposition
- isolation
- distribution
- scission
- severance
- rupture
- subdivision
- diffusion
- atomization
- segmentation
- dismemberment
- disassembly
- administration
- scattering
- seclusion
- apportionment
- breach
- dichotomization
- sequestration
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- union
- unification
- association
- connection
- attachment
- conjunction
- assemblage
- linkage
- combination
- consolidation
- fusion
- aggregation
- link
- linkup
2
as in discrimination
the state of being kept distinct the separation of church and state is an important concept in the United States Synonyms & Similar Words
- discrimination
- distinction
- isolation
- demarcation
- differentiation
- segregation
- discreteness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confusion
- blurring
3
as in divergence
a movement in different directions away from a common point a sudden separation of the herd of deer when they were startled Synonyms & Similar Words
- divergence
- divergency
- difference
- diversity
- bifurcation
- divarication
- disagreement
- disparity
- distinctness
- dissimilarity
- distinctiveness
- discrepancy
- parting of the ways
- unlikeness
- distinction
- disparateness
- dissidence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- convergence
- agreement
- similarity
- accord
- likeness
4
as in gap
an open space in a barrier (as a wall or hedge) the narrow separation between posts in the fence Synonyms & Similar Words
- gap
- hole
- rift
- discontinuity
- interval
- crevice
- opening
- void
- breach
- gulf
- fissure
- rent
- break
- split
- crack
- hiatus
- interstice
- slit
- cleft
- fracture
- cavity
- severance
- rupture
- pore
- slot
- chasm
- aperture
- abyss
- orifice
- interspace
- sundering
- notch
- cranny
- gape
- chink
5
as in departure
the act or process of two or more persons going off in different directions friends who dreaded the inevitable separation after graduation Synonyms & Similar Words
- departure
- leaving
- flight
- farewell
- parting
- withdrawal
- exodus
- exiting
- leave-taking
- egress
- quitting
- running away
- desertion
- going
- abandonment
- exit
- forsaking
- decampment
- decamping
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reunion
- arrival
- joining
- meeting
- greeting
- welcome
- gathering
- salutation
6
as in divider
something that divides, separates, or marks off a filing cabinet with lots of adjustable separations Synonyms & Similar Words
- divider
- separator
- partition
- division
- barrier
- fence
- wall
- boundary
- border
- limit