social distancing
noun
medical
: the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical distance (such as six feet or more) from other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection : physical distancing
San Francisco issued recommendations for social distancing on Friday, advising residents to stay home as much as possible and avoid congregating in large groups.—
Taryn Luna and Melody Gutierrez
Taryn Luna and Melody GutierrezUnder a new "social distancing" strategy, handshaking could be discouraged, with other, less tactile forms of greeting taking its place.—Rosa Silverman
Rosa SilvermanThe term social distancing may be foreign to some, but the concept is one often practiced during the flu season, said Dora Anne Mills, the state's former top health official and currently chief health improvement officer for MaineHealth.—Gillian Graham
Gillian GrahamExamples of social distancing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hardening against embers, clearing around houses, getting neighborhoods to adopt protective measures — this is like wearing masks, practicing social distancing and achieving herd immunity.
—Stephen A. Pyne, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
The drop in norovirus transmission because of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may also have played a role.
—Byjon Cohen, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025
Practicing appropriate social distancing: If that coughing stranger wants to sidle up to you to talk about psychedelics, crypto or whatever, keep your distance.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Volunteers bring groceries to families’ homes and follow social distancing and contactless delivery recommendations, Jackson said.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
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Stephen A. Pyne, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
The drop in norovirus transmission because of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic may also have played a role.
—Byjon Cohen, science.org, 13 Jan. 2025
Practicing appropriate social distancing: If that coughing stranger wants to sidle up to you to talk about psychedelics, crypto or whatever, keep your distance.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Volunteers bring groceries to families’ homes and follow social distancing and contactless delivery recommendations, Jackson said.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for social distancing
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Dictionary Entries Near social distancing
Cite this Entry
“Social distancing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20distancing. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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