small-world phenomenon

noun

The phenomenon that human society resembles a small-world network with short path lengths, i.e. any two human beings tend to be linked through a small chain of friends of friends.

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Meanings

nounsmall-world phenomenon (plural small-world phenomena)

plural small-world phenomena

  1. The phenomenon that human society resembles a small-world network with short path lengths, i.e. any two human beings tend to be linked through a small chain of friends of friends.
Cite this entry
APA

small-world phenomenon. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small-world%20phenomenon

MLA

“small-world phenomenon.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small-world%20phenomenon. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “small-world phenomenon,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/small-world%20phenomenon.

Source: small-world phenomenon on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.