Isolation
ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən
Definitions
2 meaningsThe act of isolating or the state of being isolated; separation from others.
ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən
The state of being separated from others.
The prisoner was kept in isolation to prevent communication with other inmates.
💡 Simply: Think of being all alone, like when you're grounded in your room. That's a form of isolation.
👶 For kids: Being alone and away from other people or things.
More Examples
The remote village experienced isolation during the winter months due to heavy snow.
She felt a sense of isolation after moving to a new city where she knew no one.
How It's Used
"The pandemic led to widespread social isolation."
"Patients with infectious diseases are often kept in isolation."
"Feeling of isolation can contribute to depression."
The process of separating something from other things.
ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən
The act of separating something from other things.
The researchers successfully achieved the isolation of the new chemical compound.
💡 Simply: It's like carefully taking a piece of candy out of a bag without disturbing the others – separating it.
👶 For kids: Taking something away from other things.
More Examples
The engineer implemented measures for the electrical isolation of the system.
Genetic isolation led to the development of a unique species.
How It's Used
"The scientist achieved isolation of the virus in the lab."
"The isolation of the power supply prevented electrical interference."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
social isolation
The state of being separated from social contact.
"Social isolation can have negative effects on mental health."
quarantine isolation
The act or period of isolation imposed on people or animals who may have come into contact with a contagious disease.
"People with suspected or confirmed infectious diseases may be subject to quarantine isolation."
From French *isolation*, from Italian *isolazione*, from *isola* 'island', from Latin *insula*.
The word has been used since the 17th century, initially with a focus on the act of separating things, and later to describe social and emotional separation.
Memory tip
Imagine an island, separated from the mainland. That's isolation.