isolation
/ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌī-sə-ˈlā-shən also ˌi-/ (ame, mw)
isolation — noun
- isolationsingular
- isolationsplural
1. a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or di
a state in which a person is entirely by themselves, often causing sadness or distress because they lack social contact or companionship
After moving to a new city, Lien felt a deep sense of isolation because she knew no one there.
collocation: sense of isolation
The isolation of living alone in a remote area caused Mateo to feel very lonely.
noun phrase: the isolation of [gerund]
Older people sometimes experience social isolation after their friends move away.
When her children grew up and left home, the house felt empty and the isolation was hard to bear.
New parents of a baby with a rare illness often face unexpected isolation from friends and family.
- loneliness
focuses on the emotional pain of being alone, not just the physical state
- seclusion
suggests a deliberate choice to withdraw from others, often for privacy
- solitude
positive, chosen state of being alone, associated with peace and reflection
- company
the presence of other people
- companionship
friendly social connection with others
用法筆記
Often paired with the adjective 'social' to describe a lack of community contact. The phrase 'sense of isolation' emphasises the subjective emotional experience.
常見錯誤
2. the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others i
the practice of keeping a person who has a contagious illness away from others in order to stop an infection from spreading
The patient was placed in isolation for ten days to prevent further spread of the virus.
passive: placed in isolation
Hospitals keep protective equipment ready outside the isolation rooms for doctors and nurses.
collocation: isolation rooms
During the outbreak, health workers followed strict isolation rules to protect themselves.
The nurse checked on the patient in the isolation ward every four hours throughout the night.
A two-week isolation period is standard for people arriving from regions with active outbreaks.
- quarantine
specifically refers to restricting movement of people possibly exposed to disease, usually for a set time
- segregation
broader term for separating groups; less medical, more social or political
- exposure
being in contact with others (and potentially with infections)
用法筆記
Commonly found as a modifier in compound nouns: 'isolation ward', 'isolation room', 'isolation period'. The phrase 'in isolation' is the standard way to describe the state.
3. a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separat
a form of punishment in which a prisoner is kept alone in a locked cell, separated from all other inmates
The prisoner was put in isolation after trying to start a fight in the prison yard.
passive: put in isolation (prison context)
A long period of isolation in a small cell can cause serious harm to a prisoner's mental health.
noun phrase: period of isolation
The judge reviewed how many months the inmate had spent in isolation before making a decision.
Human rights groups argue that long-term isolation in prison amounts to cruel punishment.
The warden decided to shorten the inmate's isolation because of his young age.
- solitary confinement
the official legal term for this punishment
- seclusion
a general term; in prison contexts, 'seclusion' is sometimes used as a milder alternative to 'isolation'
用法筆記
Often called 'solitary confinement' in legal and prison contexts. 'Isolation' in this sense is a less formal alternative.
4. a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from othe
a condition in which one element, factor, or issue is considered apart from others and not treated as connected to them
You cannot understand the problem if you study each factor in isolation from the others.
phrase: in isolation from
The researchers examined the chemical's effects in isolation, without mixing it with anything else.
adverbial: in isolation
Aylin tested each chemical in isolation before mixing them together in the experiment.
Ezra argued that no single cause exists in isolation — every event has many roots.
When you study a culture in isolation, you miss how it has been shaped by outside influences.
- separateness
a more direct synonym; less common in formal writing
- detachment
suggests deliberate removal from context; slightly more formal
- integration
the combination of elements into a connected whole
- interdependence
a state in which things rely on each other
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the fixed phrase 'in isolation (from)'. The subject is usually an abstract concept or a process, not a person.
常見錯誤
5. a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a ti
a strength-training movement that targets only one specific muscle group at a time, rather than engaging multiple muscle groups together
Léa added isolation exercises to her gym routine to strengthen her shoulder muscles.
collocation: isolation exercises
Bicep curls are a classic isolation move that works only your arm muscles, unlike push-ups.
A good training plan mixes isolation movements with compound exercises for the whole body.
The personal trainer showed Christopher three isolation exercises for the back muscles.
Leg extensions are an isolation exercise that targets only the front thigh muscles.
- single-joint exercise
the technical fitness term, emphasising the joint rather than the muscle
- targeted exercise
a broader term that can include both isolation and non-isolation movements
- compound exercise
a movement that works multiple muscle groups at once, such as a squat or bench press
用法筆記
In fitness contexts, 'isolation' can be used as a modifier ('isolation exercise', 'isolation movement'). The opposite is a 'compound exercise' (e.g., a squat or deadlift). Also called a 'single-joint exercise'.
6. a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or soci
a neutral condition in which a person, group, or thing exists physically or socially apart from others, without necessarily involving emotional distress
The small island's physical isolation allowed its unique wildlife to develop over centuries.
collocation: physical isolation
The country's political isolation from its neighbours made international trade very difficult.
collocation: political isolation
Hyun studied the plant species in its natural isolation on the remote mountain slope.
The village's geographic isolation meant that the nearest hospital was three hours away.
Sahil wrote about the cultural isolation of immigrant communities in large modern cities.
- remoteness
focuses on physical distance from populated areas
- seclusion
suggests being hidden or removed from view, often by choice
- integration
the process of joining or mixing with others
- connection
a link or relationship with other people or things
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LONELINESS): this sense is emotionally neutral and often describes physical or political separation. Use adjectives like 'geographic', 'political', or 'physical' to clarify.
常見錯誤
❌ 'The village's isolation made the people sad.' — if the speaker wants to describe sadness, use sense 1 (LONELINESS); this sense (APARTNESS) is neutral and could apply even if the villagers are happy.
7. in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or
in psychology, a mental process in which a person keeps distressing thoughts or memories separate from the emotions that would normally accompany them, as a way of protecting themselves
In therapy, Tariro came to understand that his emotional isolation was a way of protecting himself.
collocation: emotional isolation (psychological)
The psychologist explained how isolation as a defense mechanism can block healing after trauma.
noun phrase: isolation as a defense mechanism
Sivan's tendency toward emotional isolation made it hard for her to express sadness or anger.
Children who experience loss sometimes develop isolation as a way to cope with painful feelings.
The patient's use of isolation meant he could describe a difficult event without feeling any emotion.
- compartmentalization
a related but broader concept; the act of separating different parts of one's life or thoughts
- suppression
a conscious effort to push away unwanted thoughts, while isolation is unconscious
- integration
the healthy process of connecting thoughts with their related emotions
用法筆記
This is a technical term in Freudian and post-Freudian psychology. It differs from everyday 'isolation' in that it describes an unconscious mental process, not a physical or social condition.