separation

/ˌsɛpəˈreɪʃən/
noun
  1. The act or process of dividing or moving things or people apart, or the state of being apart.
    • The separation of the company into smaller divisions helped improve efficiency.
    • A fence marked the separation between the two properties.
    • The separation of the two colors was easy to see in the test tube.
  2. A situation in which two or more people stop living together or being together, especially a married couple.
    • The legal separation allowed them to live apart while still being married.
    • After a year of separation, the couple decided to get back together.
    • The long separation from his family was very difficult for the soldier.
  3. A difference or distinction between things that are usually connected or similar.
    • The separation of powers in government prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
    • There is a clear separation between church and state in many countries.
    • We need to maintain a separation between work and personal life.
Antonyms