social disease

noun

1
2
: a disease (such as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related to social and economic factors

Examples of social disease in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web She is called, among other things, America’s favorite social disease. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Tuberculosis is a social disease Tuberculosis is a preventable disease, thanks to effective vaccines, testing and treatments. Carlos Franco-Paredes, Fortune Well, 10 July 2023 Chess pieces just sort of materialize throughout the night; one couple plays chess, then another, then another, catching on like a dance craze or a social disease. Jordan Michelman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social disease.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of social disease was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near social disease

Cite this Entry

“Social disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20disease. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

social disease

noun
1
2
: a disease (as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related to social and economic factors

More from Merriam-Webster on social disease

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