physical distance
noun
medical
: a greater than usual physical separation between people during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection
Health professionals are urging the public to … stay home when sick and keep a physical distance between oneself and others to reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus.—
The Norman Transcript (Norman, Oklahoma)
The Norman Transcript (Norman, Oklahoma)The models don't reveal how long Canadians will have to maintain physical distance, but they do indicate the measures will need to be in place "for a considerable amount of time," [Dr. Theresa] Tam said.—Samantha Beattie
compare social distance sense 2
Samantha BeattieExamples of physical distance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Parents may keep a physical distance at pick-ups and drop-offs.
—Christin Perry, Parents, 9 Oct. 2024
Readers of the play may realize the script famously does not usually include a kiss, the Bard intending for the physical distance between Romeo and Juliet to serve as a symbol of the hatred that exists between the families of the torn lovers.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Particles can exist in multiple states at one time (superposition) and affect the state of each other, no matter the physical distance between them (entanglement).
—Pramod Kumar, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Mowry shut down those assumptions, clarifying that the comments pertained to physical distance.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for physical distance 
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.
Christin Perry, Parents, 9 Oct. 2024
Readers of the play may realize the script famously does not usually include a kiss, the Bard intending for the physical distance between Romeo and Juliet to serve as a symbol of the hatred that exists between the families of the torn lovers.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024
Particles can exist in multiple states at one time (superposition) and affect the state of each other, no matter the physical distance between them (entanglement).
—Pramod Kumar, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Mowry shut down those assumptions, clarifying that the comments pertained to physical distance.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for physical distance
Articles Related to physical distance
Dictionary Entries Near physical distance
Cite this Entry
“Physical distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical%20distance. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share