-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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 22 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about separation anxiety
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share