isolation

noun

iso·​la·​tion ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce isolation (audio)
 also  ˌi-
: the action of isolating : the condition of being isolated
Choose the Right Synonym for isolation

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone.

solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

Examples of isolation in a Sentence

the isolation of the mountain community after the long book tour, the author looked forward to the isolation of his office
Recent Examples on the Web What are Arizona’s isolation guidelines for people with COVID-19? The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 The city’s global reputation took a hit after years of pandemic isolation drove an exodus of talent and a sweeping crackdown on political freedoms turned it into a flashpoint in fraught relations between the world’s two superpowers. Alan Wong, Fortune Asia, 2 Mar. 2024 How to Stay Safe While the isolation guidance has changed, the recommendations for other COVID-protective measures remain unchanged. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 1 Mar. 2024 Loneliness and social isolation negatively affect both physical and mental health, significantly increasing a patient’s risk for heart disease, premature death, stroke and dementia, according to a recent U.S. Surgeon General advisory report. Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 29 Feb. 2024 The meeting was a clear sign of closer relations between the two nations, as both countries face international isolation over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program. Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 The individual needs to spend an excessive amount of time travelling, leading to time poverty or social isolation. Laurie Winkless, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Many Americans have long abandoned this isolation timeline, but given how new COVID is to both humanity and science, symptoms alone don’t yet seem enough to determine when mingling is safe, Popescu said. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 While the earlier adaptation left Japanese-language conversations untranslated to mirror Blackthorne’s isolation in an unfamiliar country, this version features English subtitles, enabling the showrunners to explore the lives of a rich cast of Japanese-speaking characters. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of isolation was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near isolation

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

isolation

noun
iso·​la·​tion ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce isolation (audio)
 also  ˌis-ə-
1
: the act of isolating : the condition of being isolated
2
: separation of a population of living things from related forms in such a manner as to prevent crossbreeding

Medical Definition

isolation

noun
iso·​la·​tion ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce isolation (audio)
1
: the action of isolating or condition of being isolated
isolation of a virus
put the patient in isolation
2
: a segregation of a group of organisms from related forms in such a manner as to prevent crossing
3
: a psychological defense mechanism consisting of the separating of ideas or memories from the emotions connected with them

More from Merriam-Webster on isolation

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