ENGLISH
REFERENCE

isolation

n.
US //ˌaɪsəˈɫeɪʃən// UK //ˌaɪsəlˈeɪʃən// iso·la·tion
  1. 1 being alone (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the state of being alone or away from other people.

    the state of being detached or separated from others, often resulting in a lack of social contact.

    Example

    Many elderly people suffered from isolation during the long winter months.

    Example

    The geographical isolation of the mountain village preserved its unique dialect for centuries, though it made access to modern healthcare difficult.
  2. 2 medical separation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    keeping a sick person away from others so a disease does not spread.

    the separation of a patient with a contagious disease from others to prevent the spread of infection.

    Example

    The hospital put the patient in isolation until they were sure the virus wasn't spreading.

    Example

    Strict isolation protocols were implemented in the infectious disease ward to mitigate the risk of a hospital-wide outbreak.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 scientific separation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the process of separating a specific substance or germ from a mixture.

    the process of obtaining a specific element, compound, or microorganism from a complex mixture or sample.

    Example

    The isolation of the active ingredient from the plant took several weeks of lab work.

    Example

    The successful isolation of the new bacterial strain allowed researchers to sequence its genome and identify potential antibiotic resistance.
  2. 4 political separation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    when a country has no friendly or official relations with other nations.

    the state of a country lacking diplomatic, economic, or social relations with other nations.

    Example

    The country faced international isolation after it broke the peace treaty.

    Example

    The regime's refusal to comply with international standards led to a period of profound diplomatic isolation and severe economic sanctions.
  3. 5 psychological defense (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    a way the mind protects itself by separating a memory from the feelings it causes.

    a defense mechanism where a person separates a thought or memory from its associated emotional charge.

    Example

    He used isolation to talk about the accident without feeling any of the pain.

    Example

    In clinical psychology, isolation of affect is often observed in patients who recount traumatic events with a striking lack of emotional resonance.
Origin

First attested in 1800. From French isolation, from isolé, placed on an island (thus away from other people). Equivalent to isolate + -ion.

© 2026 English Reference