social distancing

/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl ˈdɪs.tən.sɪŋ/

keeping physical space between people to reduce disease spread

Health officials recommend social distancing to prevent the spread of viruses.

This means maintaining a safe distance from others to avoid transmission.

Medicine

technical

The practice of maintaining physical distance from others to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, especially during outbreaks.

During the pandemic, social distancing was enforced in public spaces.

People were required to stay at least six feet apart to limit virus transmission.

Often implemented alongside other measures like mask-wearing and hand hygiene.

Collocations

practice social distancingto follow the guidelines of keeping physical distanceenforce social distancingto implement rules requiring people to stay apart

staying away from others to prevent disease spread

restricting movement of people exposed to contagious diseases

Use 'social distancing' for public health guidelines, not personal relationships.

Avoid using 'social distancing' to describe emotional distance; it specifically refers to physical separation.

Coined in the early 2000s, popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combines 'social' (relating to society) and 'distancing' (creating space).

Common in public health discussions. Sometimes criticized for implying social isolation, though the term focuses on physical separation.

social

relating to society or groups of people

root

distancing

the act of creating space or separation

root

English Dictionary