socially distance
verb
socially distanced; socially distancing; socially distances
1
: to cause (oneself) to avoid social interaction with an individual or individuals perceived as different from oneself or belonging to a social group other than one's own
Consistent with social ostracism, Study 3 illustrated that men were most likely to socially distance themselves from female gender benders, likely as a result of prejudice against gender-bending women.—
Janet K. Swim et al.
Janet K. Swim et al.Nearly half of respondents indicated they would be very or somewhat likely to socially distance themselves from an individual with major depressive disorder.—Tiffany M. Greene-Shortridge et al.
Tiffany M. Greene-Shortridge et al.2
medical
: to distance (oneself) physically from other people or avoid any unnecessary contact with others during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection : physically distance
At Georgia Tech, more than 200 students have come down with flu-like symptoms and five have been confirmed as having swine flu. … Tech has not instituted a quarantine, although ailing students have been advised to socially distance themselves from other students.—Kristina Torres
Kristina TorresThe advent of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) and other data security measures that allow people to work from home when needed is insulating some businesses during this crisis as well. … [Rob] Arnold said that socially distancing ourselves in that way really offers a way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.—John Joyce
John JoyceExamples of socially distance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Salt Lake City audience was socially distanced and masked, Pence and Harris sat 12 feet apart yet still had two plexiglass dividers placed between them, and more than 15 minutes passed before Page asked her first non-COVID-19 question.
—Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Aug. 2024
Although Kardashian Barker, 45, and her husband Travis Barker, 48, tested positive for COVID ahead of the party, the two were able to join by socially distancing outside.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Her community practices a cultural tradition of socially distancing widows, but Sanjivani unexpectedly finds healing when a mental health experiment instead brings widows together.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024
In these non-congregate motel shelters, people could socially distance and curb the spread of the highly contagious virus.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024
Those who still mask and socially distance are making peace with most others no longer doing so. Jody Barens Moran has been hypervigilant about avoiding another bout of covid to protect her teenage son, who has a rare genetic disorder and a weak immune system.
—Fenit Nirappil, Aara'l Yarber and Sheila Regan, Anchorage Daily News, 25 June 2023
The two worked on the book throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, occasionally meeting up at an outdoor space and socially distancing themselves.
—Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2023
Independence Park, where the festival is taking place, boasts more than 150 acres for people to spread out and socially distance.
—Brittanie Shey, Chron, 30 Mar. 2023
The Tap Yard first opened on 84th and Layton in Greenfield during the pandemic to provide people with an entertainment option when everyone was socially distancing, The Tap Yard owner Nick Marking said.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2023
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.
Haisten Willis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Aug. 2024
Although Kardashian Barker, 45, and her husband Travis Barker, 48, tested positive for COVID ahead of the party, the two were able to join by socially distancing outside.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
Her community practices a cultural tradition of socially distancing widows, but Sanjivani unexpectedly finds healing when a mental health experiment instead brings widows together.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024
In these non-congregate motel shelters, people could socially distance and curb the spread of the highly contagious virus.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024
Those who still mask and socially distance are making peace with most others no longer doing so. Jody Barens Moran has been hypervigilant about avoiding another bout of covid to protect her teenage son, who has a rare genetic disorder and a weak immune system.
—Fenit Nirappil, Aara'l Yarber and Sheila Regan, Anchorage Daily News, 25 June 2023
The two worked on the book throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, occasionally meeting up at an outdoor space and socially distancing themselves.
—Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2023
Independence Park, where the festival is taking place, boasts more than 150 acres for people to spread out and socially distance.
—Brittanie Shey, Chron, 30 Mar. 2023
The Tap Yard first opened on 84th and Layton in Greenfield during the pandemic to provide people with an entertainment option when everyone was socially distancing, The Tap Yard owner Nick Marking said.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2023
Articles Related to socially distance
Dictionary Entries Near socially distance
Cite this Entry
“Socially distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socially%20distance. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share