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

Other signals worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, an unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene. — Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Other signs worth flagging to a dentist include bleeding or tender gums during routine brushing or flossing, frequent canker sores, unusually dry mouth and a rising rate of new cavities despite consistent hygiene. — Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

Detainees said shampoo and other hygiene items sometimes run out for days and that meals are small or exacerbate diabetes and other health issues. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

The vending machine will offer two-dose boxes of naloxone and other hygiene and personal safety tools, including fentanyl test strips, xylazine, barbiturates, condoms and medetomidine. — Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 30 June 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