regimen

noun reg·i·men \ ˈre-jə-mən also ˈre-zhə- \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of regimen

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 : government, rule

3 : regime 1c

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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 of regimen from the Web

But the regimen can’t be given if pregnant women don’t know whether they are infected.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "Nigeria has more HIV-infected babies than anywhere in the world. It’s a distinction no country wants," 12 June 2018
That usually means putting you on a regimen that includes a bronchodilator, which is a drug that can quickly open your swollen airways.

— korin miller, SELF, "7 Facts to Know About Cough-Variant Asthma, Which Is Honestly Kind of Weird," 8 June 2018
Consider adding fish oil or other fatty acids to his daily regimen.

— dr. patty khuly, miamiherald, "Shedding is a normal for dogs; most times no need to be concerned," 8 June 2018
While ancient warriors used the practice of shooting arrows from horseback for hunting and combat, its resurgence has become friendlier: Archers from different countries go through an intense training regimen to compete locally and internationally.

— National Geographic, "Archery on Horseback Becomes Popular Again—As a Sport," 22 May 2018
The rationale for the practice is as simple as the smartphone technology that enables it: having a recording improves patients’ understanding and recall of their doctor visits and helps them adhere to treatment regimens.

— casey ross, STAT, "More patients are taking home recordings of their doctor visits. But who else could listen?," 18 May 2018
Supporters of the deal have argued that the inspections regimen set up is among the most rigorous ever brokered.

— jeremy diamond, CNN, "Fact-checking Trump's Iran speech," 8 May 2018
This disarms the body’s immune response and after transplant, the recipient will go on the normal regimen of medications to prevent rejection.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "1 doctor, 2,000+ kidney transplants. If surgeons kept stats, he’d be LeBron James.," 26 Apr. 2018
As the days passed on the new regimen, Newton kept a journal of her symptoms.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Livingston mom battles breast cancer with experimental treatments to help other patients," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regimen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

We borrowed "regimen" straight from Latin, spelling and all - but in Latin, the word simply meant "rule" or "government." In English, it usually refers to a system of rules or guidelines, often for living a healthy life or taking a regular dose of exercise. The Latin regimen derives from another Latin word, the verb "regere," which means "to lead straight" or "to rule." If you trace straight back from "regere," you'll find that "regimen" has plenty of lexical kin, including "correct," "erect," "region," "rule," and "surge." If you are using the "training" sense of "regimen," be careful not to confuse the word with "regiment," another "regere" descendant, which is used for a military unit.

Origin and Etymology of regimen

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year