Disconnection is the state of being separated or cut off from something you were previously linked to. When your internet has a disconnection, you lose your connection to the network and can't load websites or send messages. A phone call can suffer a disconnection when the signal drops and you suddenly can't hear the other person.

The word also describes emotional or social separation. When friends experience a disconnection, they might feel distant from each other even when they're in the same room, perhaps because they've grown apart or had an argument that created a barrier between them. A student might feel a disconnection from their class if the material seems completely unrelated to their life or interests.

Disconnection can be temporary or permanent, accidental or intentional. Sometimes people choose disconnection from screens and devices to focus on other things. But prolonged disconnection from friends, family, or activities you care about can leave you feeling isolated or lonely. The opposite of disconnection is connection: that sense of being linked, engaged, and part of something larger than yourself.