self-quarantine

self-quar·an·tine | \ ˌself-ˈkwȯr-ən-ˌtēn

, -ˈkwär- \

self-quarantined; self-quarantining; self-quarantines

Definition of self-quarantine

: to refrain from any contact with other individuals for a period of time (such as two weeks) during the outbreak of a contagious disease usually by remaining in one's home and limiting contact with family members

Note: To reduce transmission of a contagious disease during an outbreak, individuals are typically asked by health officials to self-quarantine following known contact with an infectious person or after returning from a region where cases of the disease are widely reported.

As the coronavirus spreads across the country, thousands of people who may have been exposed to the virus through travel abroad or contact with an infected person have been asked to self-quarantine for two weeks to help contain the outbreak.— Deanna Pan Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced on Sunday evening that he will be self-quarantining at home in Texas after learning that he had a "brief conversation and a handshake" with someone at the Conservative Political Action Conference who later tested positive for the coronavirus.— Matt Wilstein

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about self-quarantine

Dictionary Entries near self-quarantine

Statistics for self-quarantine

Last Updated

16 Mar 2020

Cite this Entry

“Self-quarantine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-quarantine. Accessed 29 Mar. 2020.