regimen

noun

reg·​i·​men ˈre-jə-mən How to pronounce regimen (audio)
also
ˈre-zhə- How to pronounce regimen (audio)
1
a
: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient
b
: a regular course of action and especially of strenuous training
the daily regimen of athletes
2
3

Did you know?

Being but humble lexicographers, we cannot say whether an apple a day truly keeps the doctor away, but as far as regimens go, one could do a lot worse than snackin’ on a McIntosh. Regimen, which usually refers to a system of rules or guidelines—often for living a healthy life or taking a regular dose of exercise—comes ultimately from a Latin verb, regere, meaning “to direct.” Regere led in apple-pie order to the English word regimen, first by way of the Latin noun regimen, meaning “steering” or “control,” and then via the Medieval Latin regimen, referring to a set of rules. Other regere descendants fell further from the tree, including correct, erect, region, rule, and surge. Be sure not to confuse regimen with another of its kin, regiment, which refers to a military unit, as doing so could upset the apple cart.

Examples of regimen in a Sentence

with the start of the new year, a new party will have regimen over the nation and, hopefully, bring some much-needed change
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.
And some experts still wonder if the protection offered by a single shot may fade faster than a double-dose regimen—a more challenging aspect of vaccine protection to assess without many years of follow-up. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 19 June 2025 When people feel better within weeks of starting a regimen, word-of-mouth marketing becomes invaluable. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The King has been undergoing a regular medical regimen for an undisclosed form of cancer following his diagnosis last February. Meredith Kile, People.com, 14 June 2025 The money was nice, but chafing with label brass and adhering to a tight touring regimen did not feel like freedom. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for regimen

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin regimin-, regimen position of authority, direction, set of rules, from Latin, steering, control, from regere to direct

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of regimen was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Regimen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regimen. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

regimen

noun
reg·​i·​men ˈrej-ə-mən How to pronounce regimen (audio)
-ˌmen
1
: a regular course of treatment
2
: a form of government : rule

Medical Definition

regimen

noun
reg·​i·​men
ˈrej-ə-mən also ˈrezh-ə-
: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient

More from Merriam-Webster on regimen

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