social distance

[ soh-shuhl dis-tuhns ]

noun

1. Sociology. the extent to which individuals or groups are removed from or excluded from participating in one another's lives.
2. a safe or appropriate distance or amount of space between two people or between people in a group: Stay at a social distance of a few feet from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

   Security concerns demand that officers maintain a social distance from inmates.

   Stay at a social distance of a few feet from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

verb (used without object)

, so·cial dis·tanced, so·cial dis·tanc·ing.

1. to maintain a safe or appropriate distance from other people, especially to slow the spread of a contagious illness or disease:

   Mom’s trying hard to social distance, though she misses her weekly Bingo game.

verb (used with object)

, so·cial dis·tanced, so·cial dis·tanc·ing.

1. to place or keep at a safe or appropriate distance from other people:

   We’ve been exposed to the flu, so we’re social distancing ourselves from friends and extended family.

Word History and Origins

Origin of social distance¹

First recorded in 1825–30

Example Sentences

As the weather gets colder and folks continue to social distance, moving the bar experience to the American home could help save the industry.

From Fortune

With this sense of social isolation has come longer AHTs as both customers and employees are using their time on calls to help bridge some of the social distance.

From Fortune

All attendees must wear a mask, be in good health, and social distance while in their teams.

From Washington Blade

With close quarters, close confinement, it’s impossible to safely maintain social distance.

From Voice of San Diego

They also had to keep a social distance from other attendees.

From Science News For Students

The liability is a vast personal and social distance from most Americans.

From The Daily Beast

But let's not forget that social distance has been a problem for more than just this one politician.

From The Daily Beast

The contacts of persons and of groups may then be plotted in units of social distance.

From Project Gutenberg

It must be evident to you, Selma, that very shortly we shall see only the dust of their chariot-wheels in the dim social distance.

From Project Gutenberg

To remove the social distance between him and his fiance he was loaded down with honors and dignities.

From Project Gutenberg

Between them there was too much of a moral and social distance.

From Project Gutenberg

Somehow, with it on this morning, she felt diminish the social distance between herself and Ferrol.

From Project Gutenberg