sep ‧ a ‧ ra ‧ tion /ˌsepəˈreɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ separation , ↑ separates , ↑ separatist , ↑ separatism , ↑ separator , inseperability; adjective : ↑ separable ≠ ↑ inseparable , ↑ separate , ↑ separated ; adverb : ↑ inseparably , ↑ separately ; verb : ↑ separate ]
1 . [uncountable] when something separates or is separate:
the separation of church and state
separation between
the zone of separation between the warring factions
2 . [uncountable and countable] a period of time that two or more people spend apart from each other:
the separation of families during wartime
3 . [countable] a situation in which a husband and wife agree to live apart even though they are still married:
their separation and later divorce
⇨ ↑ divorce 1 (1)