social disease

noun

1
2
: a disease (such as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related to social and economic factors

Examples of social disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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She is called, among other things, America’s favorite social disease. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Tuberculosis is a social disease Tuberculosis is a preventable disease, thanks to effective vaccines, testing and treatments. Carlos Franco-Paredes, Fortune Well, 10 July 2023 Chess pieces just sort of materialize throughout the night; one couple plays chess, then another, then another, catching on like a dance craze or a social disease. Jordan Michelman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of social disease was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near social disease

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

social disease

noun
1
2
: a disease (as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related to social and economic factors

More from Merriam-Webster on social disease

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