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
That physical distance, combined with the genomic and vocal divergence confirmed by researchers, supported the formal classification of the Tokara population as a separate species.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
About 150 years ago, in a small, crowded laboratory, a revolutionary moment occurred when nine simple words transmitted over a copper wire effectively ended the era of physical distance.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
The closest, in physical distance, to Orlando beyond Gatorland was Blowing Rock in North Carolina.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
No matter the physical distance from Corinthians, the passion for the club endures.
—Theo Lloyd-Hughes, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for physical distance
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Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
About 150 years ago, in a small, crowded laboratory, a revolutionary moment occurred when nine simple words transmitted over a copper wire effectively ended the era of physical distance.
—Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
The closest, in physical distance, to Orlando beyond Gatorland was Blowing Rock in North Carolina.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
No matter the physical distance from Corinthians, the passion for the club endures.
—Theo Lloyd-Hughes, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
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 30 Mar. 2026.
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