ˈbɹeɪkʌp dɪˈtæt͡ʃmənt ˈɪntɚvəl ˈɪntəvəl sɛpəˈɹeɪʃən the act of dividing or disconnecting the social act of separating or parting company the separation of church and state (law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either by mutual agreement or under a court order) sorting one thing from others the separation of wheat from chaff the separation of mail by postal zones the distance between things fragile items require separation and cushioning the termination of employment (by resignation or dismissal) coming apart the space where a division or parting occurs he hid in the separation between walls the state of lacking unity