# isolate

/ˈaɪsəˌɫeɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/isolate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to separate people or things

verb · CEFR B2

to separate one person or thing from a group so they are alone.

For teachers: to set apart or detach an individual or object from others to prevent contact or influence.

- The high mountains isolate the small village from the rest of the country.
- The political crisis served to isolate the regime from its former allies, leaving the leadership with few diplomatic options.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe a state of being alone.

### 2. medical quarantine

verb · CEFR B2

to keep a person or animal away from others to stop a disease from spreading.

For teachers: to place an individual in quarantine or medical isolation to prevent the transmission of infectious agents.

- The hospital had to isolate the patient to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
- Public health protocols required the authorities to isolate any passengers displaying symptoms of the new strain upon arrival.

### 3. to extract a substance

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

to separate a single substance or chemical from a mixture to get it in a pure form.

For teachers: to separate a specific substance, chemical, or microorganism from a complex mixture or culture.

- Scientists were able to isolate the gene responsible for the plant's color.
- The laboratory succeeded in isolating the active compound from the rare tropical bark, allowing for further pharmacological testing.

Usage: Commonly takes a direct object representing the substance being purified.

### 4. something separated

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

a person or thing that has been separated from a larger group.

For teachers: an individual, population, or substance that has been separated or exists in isolation.

- The researcher studied a specific isolate of the bacteria found in the soil.
- The study focused on a genetic isolate within the island population that showed unique resistance to the local climate.

### 5. alone or separate

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

being alone or separated from others.

For teachers: existing in a state of isolation; solitary or detached.

- He lived an isolate life in a cabin deep in the woods.
- The poet described the isolate peak of the mountain, standing far above the clouds in silent majesty.

## Examples

- The doctor had to isolate the patient with the flu.
- Scientists managed to isolate the specific gene responsible for the plant's resistance to cold weather.
- By choosing to isolate the variable of temperature, the researchers could determine its exact impact on the chemical reaction without interference from other environmental factors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.