physically distance

verb

physically distanced; physically distancing; physically distances

transitive verb

medical

: to cause (oneself) to maintain physical separation (such as 6 feet) 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 : socially distance

With efforts to physically distance ourselves due to COVID-19, people may be willing to do phone calls or video chats in lieu of face-to-face informational interviews.

—Western Oregon Journal

Examples of physically distance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Research indicates that spouses with higher levels of attachment avoidance are more likely to emotionally or physically distance themselves during moments of tension or negativity in the relationship. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024

Indirect bystander actions can be easier, and still effective, like a co-worker helping to physically distance someone from their harasser, or create a distraction to stop his advances. —Jenny Morber, Scientific American, 10 June 2023

For example, Italian researchers found that being exposed to homophobic slurs led participants to dehumanize and physically distance themselves from gay men, according to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology. —Alex Orlando, Discover Magazine, 14 June 2023

Staff and volunteers worked closely together to redesign and redeploy IEEE activities in a manner that allowed our communities to remain connected even while physically distancing themselves for safety. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

2020, in the meaning defined above