regime

noun

re·​gime rā-ˈzhēm How to pronounce regime (audio)
ri-,
 also  ri-ˈjēm
variants or less commonly régime
1
b
: a regular pattern of occurrence or action (as of seasonal rainfall)
c
: the characteristic behavior or orderly procedure of a natural phenomenon or process
2
a
: mode of rule or management
b
: a form of government
a socialist regime
c
: a government in power
d
: a period of rule

Examples of regime in a Sentence

The new regime is sure to fall. Under the new regime, all workers must file a weekly report. He was put on a strict exercise regime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Navarro pointed to Bolton’s description of deliberations on how to address Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela; his description of negotiations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un; and his recounting of what NATO allies said behind closed doors. Brett Samuels, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025 The Bashar Assad regime’s collapse inspired a wave of optimism about despotism turning into democracy. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025 The artist Gao Zhen, famous for his depictions of Mao Zedong, the Communist regime’s founder, was detained last year, and the authorities confiscated several of his works that had been created more than a decade earlier. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025 In December, the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime closed off crucial military supply routes. Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for regime

Word History

Etymology

French régime, from Old French regimen, regime, from Late Latin regimin-, regimen

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of regime was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Regime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regime. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

regime

noun
re·​gime
variants also régime
1
b
: a regular pattern of doing something
2
a
: a method of rule or management
b
: a form of government or administration
especially : a governmental or social system
c
: a period of rule of a regime

Medical Definition

regime

noun
re·​gime
rā-ˈzhēm, ri- also ri-ˈjēm

Legal Definition

regime

noun
re·​gime
rā-ˈzhēm, ri-
: a system of principles, rules, or regulations for administration (as of property)
the mandatory consecutive sentencing regimePeople v. Garcia, 642 N.E.2d 1077 (1994)
community property regime
used especially in the civil law of Louisiana

Note: Under the Louisiana Civil Code there are various regimes for various types of property, such as community or separate property. These regimes, while usually established by the law, may also be modified or created by agreement of the parties.

More from Merriam-Webster on regime

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