rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈri-gər 

1

a(1)

: harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity

The least one might observe is that this muddle of moralism and laxity, extreme rigor and casual permissiveness, arduous altruism and nonchalant selfishness, has consequences.

—Peter Berkowitz

(2)

: the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness

Their abandonment of this terminology is part of an effort to soften the rigor of some of the rigid consequences thought to flow from the mechanical application of this dichotomy.

—John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo

(3)

: severity of life : austerity

… a moral rigor and growth that might help this country.

—Stanley Kauffmann

b

: an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty

… the humanist must recognize the normality, the practical necessity of the very rigors he is trying to soften and correct.

—Hermann J. Muller

2

: a tremor caused by a chill

This young woman presented at the hospital with severe abdominal pain and signs of infection, including fever, rigor, and leukocytosis.

—Robert E. Scully et al.

3

: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable

especially : extremity of cold

the rigors of a New England winter

4

: strict precision : exactness

logical rigor

Tentatively one might suggest that what characterizes science is the rigor of its methodology …

—Ernst Mayr

5

a

obsolete : rigidity, stiffness

b

: rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

c

: rigor mortis

A fish has its best flavor and texture when cooked while just coming out of rigor.

—Jane Daniels Lear

Synonyms

• hardship
• difficulty

Examples of rigor in a Sentence

They underwent the rigors of military training.

the rigors of life in the wilderness

They conducted the experiments with scientific rigor.

a scholar known for her intellectual rigor

Recent Examples on the Web

Known for his sharp wit, conceptual rigor and fascination with systems of language, politics and infrastructure, his work often explores the gaps between information and interpretation, presence and absence. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

And yes, there is always a need for big-league catcher depth given the rigors of the position and the need for rest days. —Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025

Like any other piece of kitchenware, you’re only limited by your imagination, as most ramekins are built to withstand the rigors of an oven on full blast and the ice of a freezer. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 July 2025

That’s a big part of his improvement is getting his body physically prepared and ready to handle the rigors of a physical position. —Miami Herald, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing rigor

• rigor mortis

Rhymes for rigor

• bigger
• digger
• jigger
• rigger
• trigger
• vigor
• gravedigger
• obligor
• outrigger

Kids Definition

rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈrig-ər 

1

a

: the quality of not being flexible or yielding

b

: an act or instance of being strict or harsh

2

: a shuddering caused by a chill

3

: a condition that makes life difficult or uncomfortable

especially : extreme cold

4

: strict precision : exactness

logical rigor

Medical Definition

rigor

noun

rig·​or

ˈrig-ər, British also ˈrī-ˌgȯr

1

a

: chill sense 1

b

: a tremor caused by a chill

2

a

: rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

b

: rigor mortis