1 [I,T] separate (sb/sth) (from sb/sth) to stop being together; to cause people or things to stop being together （使）分离，分开: I think we should separate into two groups. 我想我们应该分成两组。The friends separated at the airport. 朋友们在机场分手。I got separated from my friends in the crowd. 我与友人在人群中失散了。

2 [T] separate sb/sth (from sb/sth) to keep people or things apart; to be between people or things with the result that they are apart 使隔开或分隔: The two sides of the city are separated by the river. 河流把这个城市分成两部份。

3 [I] to stop living together as a couple with your wife, husband or partner （夫妇或伴侣）分居: His parents separated when he was still a baby. 他还是个婴儿的时候，父母就分居了。