isolation

[ahy-suh-ley-shuhn, is-uh-]

noun

1. an act or instance of isolating. isolating.

2. the state of being isolated. isolated.

3. the complete separation from others of a person suffering from contagious or infectious disease; quarantine.

   Synonyms: segregation

4. the separation of a nation from other nations by isolationism.

5. Psychoanalysis.,  a process whereby an idea or memory is divested of its emotional component.

6. Sociology.,  social isolation.

Other Word Forms

• anti-isolation adjective
• postisolation adjective
• reisolation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of isolation¹

First recorded in 1825–35; isolate + -ion

Synonym Study

See solitude.

Example Sentences

Sweeney’s observations about this duality, as seen through O’Brien’s characters, dilute the romanticized notion that having an identical double shields a person from isolation.

From Los Angeles Times

The design is intended to "foster community and reduce isolation among residents", Riba said, with communal areas and shared facilities including a kitchen and double-height garden room.

From BBC

"Intergenerational housing is a new idea but it's really important in breaking down social isolation and building community, and we hope it will be a blueprint for other housing associations across the country," she says.

From BBC

Home isolation can increase the risk of violence.

From Los Angeles Times

In my conversations with them, the same words came up time and again – anxiety, low self-esteem, fear and, in particular, isolation.

From BBC

Related Words

• confinement 
• desolation 
• remoteness www.thesaurus.com
• segregation 
• solitude