iso·late
ˈī-sə-ˌlāt 
also ˈi-
isolated; isolating
1
: to set apart from others
also
: quarantine
2
: to select from among others
especially
: to separate from another substance so as to obtain pure or in a free state
3
: insulate
1
: an individual, population, strain, or culture obtained by or resulting from selection or separation
2
: an individual socially withdrawn or removed from society
Synonyms
Examples of isolate in a Sentence
Verb
These policies will only serve to isolate the country politically and economically.
Certain patients must be isolated in a separate ward.
When he wants to work, he isolates himself in his office and won't talk to anyone.
Scientists have isolated the gene that causes the disease.
Noun
interpersonal relationships are very stressful for him, so he lives as a virtual isolate
Recent Examples on the Web
Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Politically, China continues to attempt to isolate Taiwan.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
For example, when the South African isolate was tested against the antibodies that are induced by the vaccine, the isolate diminished the effectiveness multiple-fold, but didn't eliminate it.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for isolate 
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Verb
China demonstrated its pull on the world stage by welcoming a delegation from Saudi Arabia with its first pavilion at the event, as well as its close ties with Russia even as that country is isolated from Western nations and their allies due to its invasion of Ukraine.
—Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Politically, China continues to attempt to isolate Taiwan.
—David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
Be Receptive To How Others Perceive You Virtually Technology both connects and isolates.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
For example, when the South African isolate was tested against the antibodies that are induced by the vaccine, the isolate diminished the effectiveness multiple-fold, but didn't eliminate it.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2021
See all Example Sentences for isolate
Articles Related to isolate
Dictionary Entries Near isolate
Cite this Entry
“Isolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isolate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
isolate
1 of 2 transitive verb
iso·late
ˈī-sə-ˌlāt
isolated; isolating
: to set apart from others: as
a
: to separate (one with a contagious disease) from others not similarly infected
b
: to separate (as a chemical compound) from all other substances : obtain pure or in a free state
1
: an individual (as a spore or single organism), a viable part of an organism (as a cell), or a strain that has been isolated (as from diseased tissue, contaminated water, or the air)
also
: a pure culture produced from such an isolate
2
: a relatively homogeneous population separated from related populations by geographic, biologic, or social factors or by human intervention
3
: a socially withdrawn individual
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