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.
How do such regimes exploit certain brain functions or cognitive tendencies? Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025 Prior to 2022, the filmmaker wouldn’t have dared target such a character — to make Eqbal a metonym for the regime. Peter Debruge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025 Likewise, in 2022, youth protesters in Sri Lanka also succeeded in toppling the ruling regime. Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025 In a secret report released in April, intelligence community analysts assessed that Maduro's regime does not operate directly with Tren de Aragua. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 18 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!