# separating

/ˈsɛpɝˌeɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈɛpəɹˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. the process of division

noun · CEFR B2

an instance or the process of things being moved apart.

For teachers: the gerund form used as a noun to denote the act or instance of division or disconnection.

- The separating of the two companies took several months of legal work.
- The careful separating of the ancient parchment layers required a steady hand and specialized tools to prevent any permanent damage.

### 3. detachable

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing something, like a zipper, that can come completely apart into two pieces.

For teachers: referring to a fastening mechanism, typically a zipper, designed to allow the two sides to be fully detached from one another.

- This jacket has a separating zipper so you can take the lining out.
- The design specifications required a separating fastener to allow the modular components of the tent to be used independently.

## Examples

- She is separating the white clothes from the dark ones.
- The chef is separating the egg yolks from the whites to make a light meringue.
- By separating the experimental variables from the control group, the researchers ensured that the final data reflected only the impact of the new medication.

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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.