quarantines
/ˈkwɔːrənˌtiːnz/
NOUN
1. Periods or conditions of enforced isolation
Periods or conditions in which people, animals, or other potential carriers of infectious disease are kept separate to prevent the spread of infection.
1.1. Medical isolation periods
Periods during which individuals or animals potentially exposed to an infectious disease are separated from others while their health status is monitored.
Synonyms
- isolations
- confinements
- seclusions
- separations
- segregations
- detentions
- sequestrations
Antonyms
- releases
- discharges
- liberations
Examples
- The authorities imposed quarantines on travelers arriving from regions affected by the outbreak.
- Mandatory quarantines helped limit the spread of infectious diseases.
Related Words
- incubation periods
- restrictions
- containments
- health precautions
- observations
1.2. Official isolation measures
Government-ordered or public-health measures that restrict contact or movement to prevent a contagious disease from spreading.
Synonyms
- lockdowns
- isolations
- confinements
- restrictions
- containments
Antonyms
- reopenings
- releases
- liberations
Examples
- Several countries introduced localized quarantines during the outbreak.
- The new regulations established stricter quarantines for incoming passengers.
Related Words
- travel restrictions
- public health measures
- movement controls
- disease prevention
NOUN
2. Places designated for isolation
Facilities or locations where people, animals, or potentially infectious materials are kept separate to prevent contamination or the spread of disease.
2.1. Medical and animal isolation facilities
Designated locations where people or animals suspected of carrying an infectious disease are held for observation, testing, or disease control.
Synonyms
- isolation facilities
- quarantine stations
- isolation units
- isolation wards
Examples
- The government established additional quarantines near the international border.
- The animals were transferred to designated quarantines before being released.
Related Words
- medical centers
- screening facilities
- animal shelters
- health stations
2.2. Digital security storage
Restricted storage areas in computer systems where suspicious or potentially infected files and email messages are kept to prevent them from causing harm.
Synonyms
- isolation areas
- containment areas
- restricted storage areas
Examples
- The antivirus software maintains separate quarantines for suspicious email attachments.
- Administrators periodically review the quarantines to identify files that can be safely restored.
Related Words
- malware protection
- antivirus systems
- sandbox environments
- security storage
VERB
3. To isolate or restrict people, places, or things
The third-person singular present form of quarantine, meaning to place someone or something in enforced isolation or separation to prevent the spread of disease or contain a potential threat.
3.1. Isolating people or animals
To keep individuals or animals separate from others because they may have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Synonyms
- isolates
- confines
- secludes
- segregates
- sequesters
- detains
- separates
- restrains
Antonyms
- releases
- frees
- discharges
- reintegrates
Examples
- The health department quarantines individuals who have been exposed to highly contagious diseases.
- The veterinarian quarantines newly imported animals before allowing them to join the existing population.
- The hospital quarantines patients who may have contracted the infection.
Related Words
- monitors
- contains
- restricts
- isolates
3.2. Restricting access to an area
To isolate a geographical location or restrict movement into and out of it as a measure to contain an infectious disease or other threat.
Synonyms
- isolates
- cordons off
- seals off
- cuts off
- segregates
- confines
Antonyms
- reopens
- reconnects
- liberates
Examples
- The authorities quarantines the affected district whenever a serious outbreak occurs.
- The government quarantines ports when vessels are suspected of carrying contagious diseases.
Related Words
- restricts
- blockades
- contains
- secures
3.3. Isolating suspicious digital files
To move potentially harmful files, email messages, or programs into restricted storage so they cannot infect or damage other parts of a computer system.
Synonyms
- isolates
- segregates
- contains
- sequesters
- restricts
Antonyms
- releases
- restores
- clears
Examples
- The antivirus program quarantines suspicious files before they can execute.
- The security system automatically quarantines email attachments containing detected malware.
Related Words
- blocks
- flags
- scans
- neutralizes