social distance
noun
1
: 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
Jean Reith SchroedelThe 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.
Bethany A. Dipaula et al.2
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
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
Mary PapenfussExamples of social distance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Freeland worries about the increasing political influence of the superrich and the growing social distance between them and ordinary people.
—Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2013
The question for the pandemic thriller, or pandemic noir, was how people would continue to do awful things to one another while maintaining social distance.
—Lisa Levy, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
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
Freeland worries about the increasing political influence of the superrich and the growing social distance between them and ordinary people.
—Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2013
The question for the pandemic thriller, or pandemic noir, was how people would continue to do awful things to one another while maintaining social distance.
—Lisa Levy, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social distance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near social distance
Cite this Entry
“Social distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20distance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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