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The state of being separated from others; solitude or seclusion.
Dopo la pandemia, molti hanno sofferto per l'isolamento forzato.
After the pandemic, many suffered from forced isolation.
Can refer to physical separation or emotional detachment.
In medicine, the separation of a patient to prevent the spread of disease.
Il paziente è stato messo in isolamento per evitare il contagio.
The patient was placed in isolation to prevent contagion.
Commonly used during outbreaks like COVID-19.
In engineering, the act of preventing heat, sound, or electricity from passing through.
L'isolamento termico della casa riduce i costi energetici.
Thermal insulation of the house reduces energy costs.
Often refers to materials like foam or fiberglass.
Don't confuse 'isolamento' with 'isolazionismo' (isolationism), which refers to a political doctrine.
For emotional contexts, prefer 'solitudine' if the separation is voluntary or desired.
From Latin *insulāre* (to insulate, isolate), derived from *insula* (island). The figurative sense of 'separation' emerged in the 17th century.
In Italian, 'isolamento' can describe both voluntary solitude (e.g., 'un periodo di isolamento per riflettere') and imposed separation (e.g., 'isolamento carcerario'). Context determines the nuance.