separate

1 of 3

verb

sep·​a·​rate ˈse-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
ˈse-ˌprāt
separated; separating

transitive verb

1
a
: to set or keep apart : disconnect, sever
b
: to make a distinction between : discriminate, distinguish
separate religion from magic
c
: sort
separate mail
d
: to disperse in space or time : scatter
widely separated homesteads
2
archaic : to set aside for a special purpose : choose, dedicate
3
: to part by a legal separation:
a
: to sever conjugal ties with
b
: to sever contractual relations with : discharge
was separated from the army
4
: to block off : segregate
5
a
: to isolate from a mixture : extract
separate cream from milk
b
: to divide into constituent parts
6
: to dislocate (something, such as a shoulder) especially in sports

intransitive verb

1
: to become divided or detached
2
a
: to sever an association : withdraw
b
: to cease to live together as a married couple
3
: to go in different directions
4
: to become isolated from a mixture
the crystals separated out

separate

2 of 3

adjective

sep·​a·​rate ˈse-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
1
a
: set or kept apart : detached
b
archaic : solitary, secluded
2
a
: not shared with another : individual
separate rooms
b
often capitalized : estranged from a parent body
separate churches
3
a
: existing by itself : autonomous
a separate country
b
: dissimilar in nature or identity
consulted five separate authorities
separateness noun

separate

3 of 3

noun

sep·​a·​rate ˈse-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
1
2
: an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form various costume combinations
usually used in plural
Choose the Right Synonym for separate

Verb

separate, part, divide, sever, sunder, divorce mean to become or cause to become disunited or disjointed.

separate may imply any of several causes such as dispersion, removal of one from others, or presence of an intervening thing.

separated her personal life from her career

part implies the separating of things or persons in close union or association.

vowed never to part

divide implies separating into pieces or sections by cutting or breaking.

civil war divided the nation

sever implies violence especially in the removal of a part or member.

a severed limb

sunder suggests violent rending or wrenching apart.

a city sundered by racial conflict

divorce implies separating two things that commonly interact and belong together.

cannot divorce scientific research from moral responsibility

Adjective

distinct, separate, discrete mean not being each and every one the same.

distinct indicates that something is distinguished by the mind or eye as being apart or different from others.

two distinct versions

separate often stresses lack of connection or a difference in identity between two things.

separate rooms

discrete strongly emphasizes individuality and lack of connection.

broke the job down into discrete stages

Examples of separate in a Sentence

Verb Though mechanical grain cutters, called reapers, began appearing around 1800, it was with Cyrus H. McCormick's version that agriculture entered the industrial age. Older reapers simply cut and dropped grain; McCormick's cut, separated, and collected it, increasing production and, ultimately, positioning the American Midwest as the breadbasket to the world. Saveur, June/July 2008
Xanthan gum, for instance … is used in bottled salad dressing to slow the settling of the spice particles and keep water and oil from separating. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 6 Nov. 2007
The fact is that Washington has relaxed financial regulations under both Democratic and Republican administrations, opening the doors to conflicts of interest between brokers and investment bankers. In 1998, government, despite concerns, refused to separate consulting and auditing business. Jeff Madrick, New York Times Book Review, 29 Jan. 2006
On July 11 Brinkley's publicist announced the couple had separated. "She has been extremely concerned about the impact of this situation on her children and felt it was very important to protect them and take them away for a little bit," says one of Brinkley's close friends. "She is totally shocked and just devastated." Ericka Souter et al., People, 31 July 2006
They described the process used to separate cream from milk. A great distance separated the sisters from each other. They walked together to the corner, but then they separated and went their separate ways. The main group separated into several smaller groups. Oil and water separate when combined together. The oil separated from the water. The salt crystals separated out of the liquid. Adjective Today, there are an estimated 30,000 teams playing travel ball, which is entirely separate from more long-standing youth organizations like Little League … Sara Corbett, New York Times Sports Magazine, June 2006
On my last visit to Lucio, I went with a Spanish TV starlet whose sultry looks helped us land a prime table. Dining at separate tables around us were the Duchess of Badajoz, the king's sister; novelist Mario Vargas Llosa; and a gentleman rumored to be Spain's richest man. Anya von Bremzen, Saveur, November 2006
A variation of these reactions is reflected in the American deaf community, which is divided into two groups. One rejects the notion that they are disabled. Rather, they claim, they are a separate culture with its own language. The second group defines its deafness as a disability and is more likely to assimilate into the able-bodied world. Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004
There are separate restrooms for men and women. The boys have separate rooms. They slept in separate beds. We use the same Internet service provider but have separate accounts. That's an entirely separate issue. Noun "Women have a very strong sense of what works for them," says Lyn Devon, the New York designer who sells a nuanced line of silk separates and tailored dresses from her SoHo studio. Jane Herman, Vogue, June 2006
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The lines separating governments from corporations and international relations from commerce have blurred to the point of vanishing. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Either the parent or child held the toothbrush at the correct 45-degree angle, and made sure to brush all of the teeth, trying to separate the time into 30-second increments for the upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left parts of the mouth. Jessica Booth, Parents, 10 Mar. 2024 That uplifting message — coupled with dozens of operations moving people out of encampments — has allowed Bass to paper over some of the real policy differences that separate the politicians working with her on the crisis. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Mentees accepted to the eight-month, tuition-free program are separated into three tracks: writing, acting, and executive development. Ellie Austin, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden presented Congress with his fourth State of the Union address on Thursday night, one that was clearly crafted to separate him as firmly as possible from his presumptive opponent in this year’s election—former president Donald Trump. Emma Specter, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 Slater was married but separated from his wife, Lily Jay. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024 Previous releases include Flora Adora, Midsummer Solstice, and Lunar, each flavored with special botanicals to separate them from regular Hendrick’s. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 This could potentially cause the part to separate from the axle, which, if occurred, would affect brake performance and vehicle stability. David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Players can pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers: five different numbers from the white balls numbered 1-70 and one number from the gold balls numbered 1-25. 5 + 1 = Jackpot. 5 + 0 = $1 million. 4 + 1 = $10,000. 4 + 0 = $500. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 These men holding a space separate and apart to network and form a support group, presumably while their wives care for the children, is inherently unequal. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 He was indicted on two separate occasions on charges of video voyeurism as well as first- and third-degree rape. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 Mark was airlifted to a local hospital, his daughters and friend, Wes Sims, confirmed in separate social media posts. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 The brothers can be extradited after separate trial proceedings conclude in the former kickboxer’s rape and human trafficking case in Romania. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Each warhead, once released in space from the rocket that missile that carried it aloft, can be programmed to hit separate targets up to 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) apart, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-proliferation. Brad Lendon, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 The coaches and media have released separate awards since 2015. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 Musk launched a separate AI venture, xAI, last year in an effort to stay competitive in the fast-moving AI space. Robert Hart, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The first Gen Z-er to occupy the White House, Obama is adopting the new generation’s sartorial tendencies, showing off a penchant for baggy separates, cropped shirts, funky pattern mixing, and lug-sole stompers. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Feb. 2024 Sinead O’Dwyer, remaining faithful to her signature hip-skimming style, unveiled a collection of tailored separates, showcasing her versatility. Sarah Mower, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2024 From his vantage point this looks like denim that has been worn countless times, upcycled taffeta dresses as well as upcycled leather separates that feel lived-in. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 14 Feb. 2024 Modern silhouette For those who want the ease of athleisure with a luxurious look, opt for these matching separates from Spanx. Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024 Ibex’s lightweight yet ultra-warm layers are a winner, as are the brand’s sleek active separates, including moisture-wicking cotton terry joggers for men and women and merino wool jackets, like this sporty bomber and classic zip-up, which can transition from the plane to the slopes in a flash. Madeline Diamond, wsj.com, 12 Jan. 2024 Sunday proved to be a tolerable weather day, so fashion insiders threw on pumps, mini dresses in sleek hues, head-turning denim separates and bold bodysuits. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Sep. 2023 Swap in tailored separates for a dress Cocktail attire doesn’t have to mean a cocktail dress. Leah Melby Clinton, wsj.com, 20 Dec. 2023 These matching PJs come in a zippered onesie style for babies, a two-piece toddler and kids' set, women’s and men’s separates, a festive pet scarf, and a cozy robe. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'separate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Adjective, and Noun

Middle English, from Latin separatus, past participle of separare, from se- apart + parare to prepare, procure — more at secede, pare

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of separate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near separate

Cite this Entry

“Separate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

separate

1 of 3 verb
sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
separated; separating
1
a
: to set or keep apart
separate the pages with a slip of paper
b
: to make a distinction between : distinguish
separate fact from fiction
c
: sort entry 2 sense 1
separate mail
d
: to spread widely in space or time : scatter
widely separated homesteads
2
: to end a relationship with that is bound by a contract
separated from the army
3
: to isolate or become isolated from a mixture
separate cream from milk
4
: to become divided or detached : come apart
5
: to cease to live together as a married couple
6
: to go in different directions

separate

2 of 3 adjective
sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
1
: set or kept apart
the motel contains fifty separate units
2
: not shared with another : individual
separate rooms
3
: having independent existence
the separate pieces of a puzzle
separately adverb
separateness noun

separate

3 of 3 noun
sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)rət How to pronounce separate (audio)
: an article of dress designed to be worn interchangeably with others to form different outfits
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

separate

verb
sep·​a·​rate ˈsep-(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
separated; separating

transitive verb

1
: to isolate from a mixture : extract
2
: dislocate
separated his right shoulder

intransitive verb

: to become isolated from a mixture

Legal Definition

separate

verb
sep·​a·​rate ˈse-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce separate (audio)
separated; separating

transitive verb

: to cause the separation of

intransitive verb

: to undergo a separation
the couple separated last year
compare divorce

More from Merriam-Webster on separate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!