regimen

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

|Updated on: 16 Jul 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

See regimen defined for English-language learners

See regimen defined for kids

regimen was our Word of the Day on 08/05/2017. Hear the podcast!

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

There’s also no mention of potential drug-nutrient interactions, so please, pretty please: Talk to your doctor before starting any supplement regimen!

— jaclyn london, ms, rd, cdn, Good Housekeeping, "Why Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest’s iZO Superfood Cleanse Is B.S., According to a Nutritionist," 7 June 2018
The cows were rotated during two-week feeding regimens with a weeklong seaweed fast in between.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "UC Davis researchers study ways to reduce methane in cow belches," 25 May 2018
Lacking a complete medication list, pharmacists can’t assess the safety of medication regimens.

— melissa stein, STAT, "Privacy laws are hurting the care of patients with addiction," 13 July 2018
Like any exercise regimen, your skincare routine can take some time to perfect.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "4 Products Emily Skye Uses for Full, Natural Brows," 12 July 2018
Earnings are beginning to pick up, and the Federal Reserve envisions a steady regimen of rate hikes.

— andrew van dam, chicagotribune.com, "Is it great to be a worker in the U.S.? Not compared with the rest of the developed world.," 5 July 2018
Earnings are beginning to pick up, and the Federal Reserve envisions a steady regimen of rate hikes.

— andrew van dam, BostonGlobe.com, "Limited unionization and government aid hold back US workers, study says," 4 July 2018
Despite wearing the print in two very different styles, to two very different occasions, Selena and Meghan appeared to follow a similar beauty regimen.

— amira rasool, Teen Vogue, "Selena Gomez and Meghan Markle Wore the Same Oscar de la Renta Print," 2 July 2018
This is a godsend for patients with chronic conditions who have difficulty following a regimen.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Amazon the Rx Disrupter," 29 June 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