For Individuals|For Teachers
Vocapedia
Log inTry for Free
Log in

Looking up...

Words

  • Words of the Year
  • Recent Lookups
  • My Own Dictionary

Languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Korean
  • German

Features

  • Words of the Year
  • My Collections List
  • Reviews
  • Learning Resources
  • Community Collections

Learn

  • How It Works
  • Study Guides
  • Language Tips
  • FAQ
  • Getting Started

Community

  • Forum
  • Blog
  • Help Center
  • Partnerships

About

  • About Vocapedia
  • Contact Us
  • Feedback

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • GDPR Compliance
© 2026 Vocapedia. All rights reserved.

separation

/ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
noun★Intermediate
formal

The act or process of separating or being separated; the state of being apart or divided.

The couple decided to go through a legal separation before finalizing their divorce.

The company's separation from its parent organization was completed last year.

💡

Can refer to physical, emotional, or legal separation.

technical

In chemistry, the process of isolating a substance from a mixture.

The lab successfully achieved the separation of the two compounds.

The separation of the elements was done using chromatography.

💡

Common in scientific and industrial contexts.

Collocations

legal separationa formal arrangement where a married couple lives apart but remains legally marriedemotional separationthe process of becoming emotionally distant from someoneseparation anxietydistress experienced when separated from a loved one, often used in psychology

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

separation agreementphrase
a legal document outlining the terms of a separation between spouses
separation of powersphrase
the division of government into branches to prevent abuse of power

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'separation' can vary widely depending on the context, so pay attention to the field or domain in which it is used.

⚡Gold Rule

Legal vs. Emotional

In legal contexts, 'separation' often refers to a formal arrangement between spouses, while in emotional contexts, it describes a psychological distance.

📖Word Origin

From Middle French 'séparation,' from Latin 'separatio,' from 'separare' (to separate).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used in both literal and figurative senses. In legal contexts, it often refers to a formal arrangement between spouses.

Word Breakdown

separ-
apart
root
+
-ation
the act or process of
suffix
English Dictionary

Learning Progress

Track your learning journey!

• Save words to build your vocabulary

• Monitor your daily streak

• Get personalized review reminders

• See words learned statistics

Log in to access advanced features and track your progress!

Go to Dashboard →