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
The psychological journey Mutabazi has taken is, in some ways, more daunting than the physical distances he’s traveled.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
As Traders Magazine notes, even a 200-microsecond delay—caused simply by the physical distance between venues—can determine who executes first and who suffers slippage and adverse selection in fast-moving markets.
—Ashok Reddy, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The X-axis relates to physical distances.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
In January of 2023, after finishing another season of The Oval, Dixon moved to Santa Monica, hoping to put physical distance between himself and Perry and waiting for Perry to sell the pilot.
—Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for physical distance
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John Blake, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
As Traders Magazine notes, even a 200-microsecond delay—caused simply by the physical distance between venues—can determine who executes first and who suffers slippage and adverse selection in fast-moving markets.
—Ashok Reddy, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The X-axis relates to physical distances.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
In January of 2023, after finishing another season of The Oval, Dixon moved to Santa Monica, hoping to put physical distance between himself and Perry and waiting for Perry to sell the pilot.
—Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for physical distance
Cite this Entry
“Physical distance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical%20distance. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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