social distancing

American  

[soh-shuhl dis-tuhn-sing] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl ˈdɪs tən sɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice of maintaining a safe or appropriate physical distance from other people, or the measures taken to reduce close physical contact, especially to slow the spread of a contagious illness or disease.

   Health officials are recommending some kinds of social distancing, such as working from home and avoiding handshakes.

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Other Word Forms

• social distance
  verb (used with or without object)
• social-distance
  verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of social distancing

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social distancing

Much like COVID-era social distancing rules, this will lower the risk of H5N1 transmission by keeping birds separate.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026

Who wants to remember social distancing and N-95 masks?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026

Jerry furloughed all his employees and shut down for three months, until the theater was allowed to reopen with strict social distancing rules in place.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025

The report says lockdown could have been avoided if steps such as social distancing and isolating those with symptoms along with members of their household had been introduced earlier than mid-March 2020.

From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2025

The early stretch of the COVID-19 pandemic saw no shortage of Angelenos who began creative projects to stay inspired and productive amid work slowdowns and social distancing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2025