isolates; isolated; isolating
[+ object]
1 : to put or keep (someone or something) in a place or situation that is separate from others
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
— often + from
Certain patients must be isolated from the others in a separate ward.
2 a : to find and deal with (something, such as a problem) by removing other possibilities
It may take several days to isolate the problem. [=to find out exactly what the problem is]
b technical : to separate (something, such as a chemical) from another substance : to get (something) or an amount of (something) that is not mixed with or attached to anything else
Scientists have isolated the gene/virus that causes the disease.
— often + from
The chemical/compound was originally isolated from a kind of seaweed.