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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
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
noun1
2
: a disease (as tuberculosis) whose incidence is directly related to social and economic factors
More from Merriam-Webster on social disease
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about social disease
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