Isolation

Definition

The process or fact of isolating or being isolated.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
• Respelling: eye-so-LAY-shun (with "eye" as in "my," "so" as in "go," "LAY" as in "say," and "shun" as in "nation")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃən/
• Respelling: eye-suh-LAY-shun (with "eye" as in "my," "suh" as in "sofa," "LAY" as in "say," and "shun" as in "nation")

In both dialects, "isolation" places the primary stress on the third syllable, "LAY." The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "eye-so-LAY-shun" (American) and "eye-suh-LAY-shun" (British).

Etymology

From the verb "isolate", derived from the Italian "isolato", from Latin "īnsulātus" (made into an island), from "īnsula" (island).

Derivatives

• Isolate (verb)
• Isolated (adjective)
• Isolating (verb, present participle)
• Isolator (noun)
• Isolationism (noun)

Synonyms

• Seclusion
• Solitude
• Segregation

Antonyms

• Integration
• Inclusion
• Connection

Usage

Isolation is used in various contexts, including social, medical, and psychological situations. It can describe the physical separation of individuals, the emotional experience of feeling alone, or the process of isolating variables in scientific research.

Related Terms

• Lonely
• Quarantine
• Alienation
• Separation
• Exclusion

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Isolation (Noun): The state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others.
  • Example: "After the diagnosis, he went into isolation to prevent the spread of the illness."

• Isolation (Noun): The act of separating something from other things or people.
  • Example: "The scientists worked on the isolation of the virus to study it more effectively."

In summary, "isolation" is a noun referring to the state or act of being separated from others.