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

Detainees recounted degrading and inhumane living conditions that included bathrooms covered in feces, flooded housing units and no access to soap or other basic hygiene supplies, according to the report. — Michael Biesecker, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

That included nonperishable food, water, diapers, wipes, baby formula and hygiene products. — Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Sock requirements vary across specific studios; some companies such as SLT and Club Pilates require them for safety and hygiene; others, like Solidcore and New York Pilates, do not. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Multi-factor authentication, continuous asset discovery, attack surface management and maintaining strong cyber hygiene remain some of the most effective defences available. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 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