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quarantine

KWOR-un-teen /ˈkwɔːrəntiːn/

nounverbB2TOEFLIELTSGRE

generalformalmedical

A state or place of isolation enforced to prevent the spread of infectious disease or hazardous contamination.

Traditionally applies to exposed individuals who might carry infection, differentiating it from 'isolation' of known sick patients.

The story behind the word. From Venetian Italian 'quarantena' (forty days), derived from 'quaranta' (forty). During the Black Death plague in the 14th century, ships arriving in Venice were forced to anchor offshore for 40 days before landing.

Word relationships

isolation: Isolation separates known infected individuals, whereas quarantine restricts those who were exposed but are not yet proven sick.
sequestration: Sequestration is legal or financial isolation of assets or juries, not biological isolation.

release: Setting free from restrictions.
integration: Blending into the general population.

Commonly confused with

isolation: Quarantine isolates those exposed to hazard, while isolation isolates those already known to be infected.

Word family

quarantined (adjective): Placed under isolation safety restrictions.

Collocations

quarantine facility
under quarantine
quarantine period
enforce quarantine

Example sentences

"Travelers arriving from the affected biohazard district were placed in a 14-day quarantine." Public health regulation
"Customs officers put the imported cargo under quarantine until tests confirmed it was free from invasive parasites." Agricultural border control

Memory hook

QUARANtine comes from QUARANta (Italian for 40 days of isolation). 40 days in isolation.

When not to use

Do not use for general imprisonment or punitive solitary confinement.

Fun facts

Apollo 11 astronauts were placed in a mobile quarantine facility for 21 days after returning from the Moon to ensure no 'lunar germs' infected Earth.