social disease

noun

1

: venereal disease

2

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

social disease

noun

1

: venereal disease

2

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