social distance

noun

: the degree of acceptance or rejection of social interaction between individuals and especially those belonging to different social groups (such as those based on race, ethnicity, class, or gender)

There is a very large body of sociological research showing that a lessening of social distance among groups typically decreases prejudice and improves the ability to understand the concerns of the "other."—

Jean Reith Schroedel

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an elective psychiatric course with outcomes designed to target stigmatization and dispel myths could reduce student social distance toward patients with severe mental illness.—

Bethany A. Dipaula et al.

medical : the avoidance of close contact with other people during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection

If this year's … flu becomes more severe, additional steps may be taken to prevent spread of the virus. These include finding ways to increase social distance in classrooms, or holding outdoor classes, and utilizing distance learning methods.—

Debra Winters

'Saturday Night Live' host Daniel Craig and Kate McKinnon had fun with maintaining 'social distance' and spraying antiseptic in a sketch about soap opera love in the coronavirus era.—

Mary Papenfuss

compare physical distance

Examples of social distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In general, 2020 is considered an outlier because of accommodation efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic to social distance and keep vulnerable populations out of contact with the general public. —

Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 29 Oct. 2024 Do not put a mask on kids under 2 years old, but do help them social distance from others, and wash their hands. —

Jaina Grey, WIRED, 11 Oct. 2020 The hotel environment creates social distance, and everyone wears a kind of armor. —

Ben Croll, Variety, 20 Sep. 2024 Read more 13 Best Dating Sites to Find Love (Even In Quarantine) Find love from a responsible social distance. —

Serena Coady, Glamour, 19 Sep. 2024 Enter telemedicine for mental health support, uncounted vacation days, flexible workweeks, and special touches —everything from scavenger hunts to social distance lunches. —

Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2024 The Present Why ‘Christian nationalists’ are less likely to wear masks and social distance In a recent study, researchers examined how Christian nationalism is affecting the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Big Think, 24 June 2024 Her adherence to science was evident from the early days of the pandemic as López Obrador defied social distance recommendations and toured the country — pressing the flesh with admirers, hugging and kissing supporters and urging his compatriots to keep eating in restaurants. —

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024 Experts continue to agree that proper masking, social distance guidelines, vaccines, and boosters remain the best preventative measures against the contraction and spread of COVID-19. —

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of social distance was in 1824

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Social distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20distance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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