separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings

Examples of separation anxiety in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Your 1-year-old is very attached to you, and separation anxiety is a normal part of their development. Alex Vance, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024 Sign up Knightley's debut book, which tells the story of a young girl adjusting to life with her new sibling, explores themes of separation anxiety and resilience. Irenie Forshaw, theweek, 22 Oct. 2024 Victoria Monét is branching out with a new venture that helps mothers like herself to assist their children experiencing separation anxiety and offers some healing for hard-working parents. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Oct. 2024 During social time, the moms also talked about personality traits their babies share such as separation anxiety. Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for separation anxiety 

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of separation anxiety was in 1943

Dictionary Entries Near separation anxiety

Cite this Entry

“Separation anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation%20anxiety. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

separation anxiety

noun
: a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence

More from Merriam-Webster on separation anxiety

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