routine

1 of 2

noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn 

1

a

: a regular course of procedure

if resort to legal action becomes a campus routine

—J. A. Perkins

b

: habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure

the routine of factory work

2

: a reiterated speech or formula

the old "After you" routine

—Ray Russell

3

: a worked-out part (as of an entertainment or sports contest) that may be often repeated

a dance routine

especially : a theatrical number

4

: a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task

routine

2 of 2

adjective

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn 

ˈrü-ˌtēn

1

: of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary

routine problems

2

: of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure

routine business

Synonyms

Noun

• grind
• rut
• pattern
• groove
• drill
• habit

Adjective

• normal
• usual
• ordinary
• typical
• average

Examples of routine in a Sentence

Noun

Grandma gets upset if we change her routine.

A brisk walk is part of her morning routine.

The job will be easier once you settle into a routine.

the boring routine of paperwork

Adjective

The surgery has become a very routine operation and poses little danger.

He criticized her routine absence from important meetings.

The more you do it, the more routine it becomes.

They hire high-school students for routine work such as filing.

Data entry becomes routine very quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As for upkeep, black pools tend to highlight things like dust, sunscreen residue, and waterline marks more easily, so staying on top of cleaning and pH levels has become part of their routine. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025

During these 10-20-minute hairstyling routines, researchers continuously measured air quality with scanning mobility particle sizers (SMPS) and condensation particle counters (CPC), which can detect and count particles as tiny as just a few nanometers in size. —New Atlas, 23 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained him in Indianapolis during a routine check-in required after obtaining a temporary deferral of deportation. —Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025

Does your routine or mindset change in any way to adapt to the pressure of bigger events? —Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, from route traveled way

First Known Use

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing routine

• a matter of routine

Rhymes for routine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Kids Definition

routine

1 of 2 noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn 

1

: a standard or regular way of doing something

2

: an often repeated speech or formula

3

: a part (as of an act or a sports performance) that is carefully worked out so it can be repeated often

a comedy routine

a dance routine

a gymnastic routine

4

: a set of computer instructions that will perform a certain job

routine

2 of 2 adjective

1

: commonplace entry 2, ordinary

2

: done or happening in a usual or standard way

routinely adverb