hygiene

noun

hy·​giene ˈhī-ˌjēn 

also hī-ˈjēn

1

: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health

has poor personal hygiene

Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good oral hygiene.

see also feminine hygiene, sleep hygiene

hygienist

hī-ˈjē-nist 

ˈhī-ˌjē-, 

hī-ˈje- 

noun

Examples of hygiene in a Sentence

Poor sanitation and hygiene caused many of the soldiers to get sick.

He has very poor personal hygiene.

Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good dental hygiene.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though the source of the infections has yet to be identified, experts recommend taking precautions with fresh produce and practicing good hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 9 July 2026

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has dispatched 36 tons of aid, including hygiene kits, cleaning supplies and water filters. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 8 July 2026

That means master data, data quality and consistent definitions stop being back-office hygiene and become the thing that decides whether any of this works. — Rahul Bhatia, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Thousands of people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela last month are increasingly facing challenges accessing clean water as well as sanitation and hygiene services. — ABC News, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French hygiène & New Latin hygieina, from Greek, neuter plural of hygieinos healthful, from hygiēs healthy; akin to Sanskrit su well and to Latin vivus living — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hygiene

• feminine hygiene
• sleep hygiene

Rhymes for hygiene

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

Kids Definition

hygiene

noun

hy·​giene ˈhī-ˌjēn 

1

: a science that deals with the bringing about and keeping up of good health in individuals and groups

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) that are aids to good health

Medical Definition

hygiene

noun

hy·​giene

ˈhī-ˌjēn also hī-ˈ

1

: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health see industrial hygiene, mental hygiene

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health