# separation

/ˌsɛpɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /sˌɛpəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/separation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. being apart

noun · CEFR B2

the state of being apart or the act of moving things away from each other.

For teachers: the act of disuniting two or more things, or the condition of being separated.

- The separation of the two chemicals must be done very carefully in the lab.
- The physical separation of the two departments led to a noticeable breakdown in daily communication and collaborative problem-solving.

### 2. distance or gap

noun · CEFR B2

a gap or space that keeps two things apart.

For teachers: an interval, gap, or physical space that divides things or people.

- There was a small separation between the two buildings where a path ran.
- The safety regulations require a minimum separation of five metres between the fuel storage tanks and the main office block.

### 3. marital status

noun · CEFR B2

when a married couple decides to live in different homes but stays legally married.

For teachers: the condition of a married couple living in separate residences while remaining legally married, often as a precursor to divorce.

- After years of arguing, the couple agreed to a legal separation.
- The lawyer explained that a formal separation agreement would address child custody and asset division without dissolving the marriage entirely.

### 4. leaving a job

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of leaving a job or the military.

For teachers: the termination of a contractual relationship, specifically departure from active military duty or employment.

- He received his official separation papers from the army last week.
- The human resources department handled the involuntary separation of several hundred employees following the merger of the two firms.

Usage: Often used in administrative or military contexts to describe the end of service.

## Examples

- The separation of the two departments took several months.
- After years of conflict, the couple decided on a legal separation before filing for a full divorce.
- The constitutional principle of the separation of powers ensures that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches remain independent and provide checks on one another.

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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.