physical distancing

noun

: the tendency to avoid close contact with others

Body language exposes our relationship to others. There is the confident demeanor of the self-assured, the plodding gait of the downhearted and the physical distancing that characterizes fear.

—Marcia Manna

… JFK was notable for his physical distancing—part of his immense, glamorous reserve. He hated crowds—of course, with good reason—while expertly playing them like a grand piano.

—Robert Whitcomb

specifically, medical : the practice of maintaining a greater than usual physical space between oneself and other people or of avoiding direct contact with people or objects in public places during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection : social distancing

The main thing that we can all do, is what is called social distancing. I like to use the phrase 'physical distancing.' … Now you're going to be spending much more time in your house, spending time away from people … to limit transmission of the COVID virus. Physical distancing takes away the idea we can still talk to loved ones …

—Adam Rosh

The WHO added that they were now using the term "physical distancing" rather than "social distancing" to describe the importance of maintaining space between people in order to avoid the spread of the virus.

—Manon Dark

Additionally, Kroger will begin implementing new physical distancing measures to help enhance customer and associate safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Tuesday, Kroger stores are limiting customers to 50% of building code capacity.

—WRDW.com

Examples of physical distancing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These concerns have been heightened by misinformation surrounding health care, including an entrenched and vocal anti-vaccine movement and the objections of some conservative politicians to mandates related to COVID-19, including masks, physical distancing, and school and business closures. —Sarah Varney | Kff Health News, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025

Although some countries weathered the early stages of the pandemic by quickly applying and then sustaining effective travel measures, the most successful ones also rapidly implemented local testing and contact-tracing programs, as well as physical distancing and mask-wearing guidelines. —Kelley Lee, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2021

Masking and physical distancing disrupted the normal cycles of many respiratory illnesses, including common colds, RSV and flu. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

Masking, physical distancing, handwashing and improving airflow can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, the CDC says, and testing early in the course of an illness can help ensure that those who need treatment – such as Paxlovid for Covid-19 and Tamiflu for influenza – can get it. —Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 19 Feb. 2024

In the early stages of the pandemic, the virus’s devastating impact on the poor in the United States led many—including us—to predict disaster in the developing world, where poverty and overcrowding prevail and where physical distancing is rarely feasible. —Robert Malley, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2020

Disney says this is to accommodate physical distancing. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

Rather, the numbers illustrate a rebound effect: Deaths from non-Covid viruses fell drastically due to masking and physical distancing during the first phase of the pandemic. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2023

Despite the absence of stringent regulations, Swedes opted to cancel events like birthday parties, adopted remote working, and practiced physical distancing. —Lars Jonung, National Review, 21 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above