isolation
state of being cut off from others
a state where a person, group, or place is away from other people and has very little contact with them
in isolation from [someone/something]
- After moving to the remote island, she struggled with feelings of isolation.
- The long winter can create a sense of isolation for people living in mountain villages.
- Prisoners in solitary confinement often suffer from extreme social isolation.
- Working from home all the time left him in isolation from his colleagues.
- The government is trying to reduce the isolation of older people who live alone.
- He lives in isolation in a small house in the mountains.
- The old woman felt deep isolation after her husband died.
- Social isolation can be bad for your mental health.
- During the storm, the village was in complete isolation.
- The program helps people who are at risk of isolation.
considering something on its own
a state where something is looked at alone, without thinking about other things that are connected to it
[something] in isolation
- These results look worrying in isolation, but the long-term trend is positive.
- The quote was taken in isolation and does not reflect what the speaker really meant.
- You cannot judge the policy in isolation from the economic situation.
- When viewed in isolation, the numbers seem small, but together they are significant.
- The study examined each risk factor both in isolation and in combination with others.
- Do not look at this number in isolation.
- Her comment sounds rude in isolation, but the full story is different.
- We cannot see this problem in isolation from other problems.
- In isolation, the change seems small.
- The photo, in isolation, does not show what really happened.
medical separation to stop infection
a state where a sick person, or someone who may be sick, stays away from other people so they do not spread disease
be in isolation for [length of time]
- The patient was placed in isolation as soon as the test came back positive.
- Health authorities recommend five days of isolation after you develop symptoms.
- Because of the outbreak, several staff members are currently in self-isolation.
- Visitors are not allowed in the isolation ward without protective clothing.
- After a week in isolation, she finally tested negative and could return to work.
- He stayed in isolation for seven days after he got COVID-19.
- The doctor put her in isolation to stop the virus spreading.
- Many people had to go into self-isolation during the pandemic.
- You can leave isolation when you feel better and test negative.
- The hospital has a special isolation room for sick patients.
technical process of separating something
the process of taking one thing away from others so it is alone, often in science or engineering
the isolation of [something] from [something]
- The isolation of the virus was a major breakthrough for the research team.
- Good electrical isolation is essential to protect sensitive components from power surges.
- The lab has special equipment for the isolation and purification of proteins.
- Improved vibration isolation reduced the noise from the machinery.
- Data isolation is used to prevent one system from interfering with another.
- The scientist worked on the isolation of the new virus.
- Electrical isolation keeps the device safe from high voltage.
- They use special tools for DNA isolation in the lab.
- Vibration isolation helps to make the machine more quiet.
- Good isolation of the signal makes the test more accurate.
- Base: isolation
- Plural: isolation, isolations
live in isolation
1live with almost no contact
to live away from other people, with very little or no social contact
- He chose to live in isolation in a cabin in the woods.
- Many elderly people live in isolation and rarely see anyone.
- The family had to live in isolation while repairs were made to the only road to the village.
self-isolation
1staying home to avoid infection
when a person decides to stay at home and avoid other people so they do not spread or catch an illness
- Employees are asked to go into self-isolation if they test positive.
- During the pandemic, many people struggled with the mental effects of self-isolation.
- She began self-isolation as soon as she developed a fever and cough.
social isolation
1having almost no social contact
a situation where a person has very little contact with other people and almost no social life
- Social isolation is linked to a higher risk of depression.
- The charity works to reduce social isolation among older adults.
- Long-term social isolation can affect both mental and physical health.
in isolation
1on its own, without context
used to say that something is looked at or happens alone, without other things that are normally connected to it
- These figures look bad in isolation, but the overall picture is improving.
- In isolation, this decision seems strange, but it makes sense as part of the wider plan.
- The quote sounds harsh in isolation, but the full interview tells a different story.
in isolation
2Separately from others
Not together with other things or people; alone.
- You can't judge this problem in isolation; you need the full context.
- The data should not be viewed in isolation.