Definition of rigor
1a (1) : harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity (2) : the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness (3) : severity of life : austerityb : an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
2 : a tremor caused by a chill
3 : a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable; especially : extremity of cold
4 : strict precision : exactness logical rigor
5a obsolete : rigidity, stiffnessb : rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimulic : rigor mortis
Explore Merriam-Webster
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 of rigor from the Web
-
Throwing the changeup off his weaker fingers diminishes speed and helps the pitch fade, giving Freeland another weapon to handle the rigors of high altitude.
-
At the root of the problem is the tendency to take the optimism generated by a grand idea and overlay that on the execution without applying the critical rigor required to foresee the inevitable hurdles that are likely to complicate the process.
-
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Hornets ace is in the midst of one of the finest pitching seasons in program history, having overcome myriad injuries and doubts as to if his body could handle the rigors of this sport.
-
Still, my boots hold up nicely to the rigors of travel without being too conspicuous.
-
Lucy stays in shape and physically prepares for the rigors of the journey by training as a triathlete.
-
Hannity has always been the most outspoken conservative voice on Fox News and as a commentator does not have to adhere to the journalistic rigors of correspondents and reporters on the channel.
-
The rigors of engineering school eventually forced Eisenhardt to stop racing.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rigor'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of rigor
Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff
RIGOR Defined for English Language Learners
rigor
playDefinition of rigor for English Language Learners
-
rigors : the difficult and unpleasant conditions or experiences that are associated with something
-
: the quality or state of being very exact, careful, or strict
RIGOR Defined for Kids
rigor
playDefinition of rigor for Students
: a harsh condition (as of discipline)
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of rigor
1a: chill 1b: a tremor caused by a chill
2a: rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimulib: rigor mortis
Learn More about rigor
-
See words that rhyme with rigor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rigor Spanish Central: Translation of rigor Nglish: Translation of rigor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rigor for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up rigor? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!