routine

noun

rou·tine | \ rü-ˈtēn

Definition of routine

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a regular course of procedure if resort to legal action becomes a campus routine— J. A. Perkins

b : habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure the routine of factory work

2 : a reiterated speech or formula the old "After you" routine— Ray Russell

3 : a worked-out part (as of an entertainment or sports contest) that may be often repeated a dance routine especially : a theatrical number

4 : a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task

routine

adjective

rou·tine | \ rü-ˈtēn

, ˈrü-ˌtēn\

Definition of routine (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary routine problems

2 : of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure routine business

Other Words from routine Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about routine

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Examples of routine in a Sentence

Noun

Grandma gets upset if we change her routine. A brisk walk is part of her morning routine. The job will be easier once you settle into a routine. the boring routine of paperwork

Adjective

The surgery has become a very routine operation and poses little danger. He criticized her routine absence from important meetings. The more you do it, the more routine it becomes. They hire high-school students for routine work such as filing. Data entry becomes routine very quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

YouTuber Joanna Spicer has a quick routine that helps her get symmetrical, smooth wings every time. — Blake Bakkila, Good Housekeeping, "How to Apply Eyeliner That's Even, Straight, and Really, Really Pretty," 23 Jan. 2019 After a four-year break, Adam Selman was hell-bent on picking up a regular workout routine. — Chioma Nnadi, Vogue, "Adam Selman’s New Sportswear Line Gives Sad Gym Clothes a Cheeky Lift," 22 Jan. 2019 But working your upper body is important for way more than just establishing a well-rounded fitness routine. — SELF, "23 Back and Shoulder Exercises for a Strong Upper Body," 5 Jan. 2019 One recent early morning at the ranch outside Carnation, an 18-year-old from California named Robel was up early to feed horses, goats and a couple of farm cats — a much different routine than staying up late to play video games. — Martha Irvine, The Seattle Times, "He’s a ‘tech addict’ who works in Seattle area’s tech industry," 26 Dec. 2018 Maintaining a good routine for our daughter required a lot of logistics. — Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Condé Nast Traveler, "Maternity Moons Are Now a Thing," 28 Nov. 2018 The InSight team designed the lander to perform a complicated landing routine that’s meant to be performed in just six and a half minutes. — Loren Grush, The Verge, "Hanging out at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory," 27 Nov. 2018 The Spring 2019 show opened with a theatrical routine choreographed by Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Dancers Took Over the Runway at Dior's Spring 2019 Show," 24 Sep. 2018 In one room, middle-school-aged girls watched their peers perform snippets of a modern routine. — Reema Amin, baltimoresun.com, "Anne Arundel summer dance program conveys confidence as well as technique," 11 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

With his body camera rolling, New Jersey State Trooper Michael Patterson pulled over a white BMW for a routine traffic stop. — CBS News, ""It was meant to happen": Routine traffic stop in New Jersey leads to unlikely reunion," 26 June 2018 While the 36-year-old actress regularly mixes up her beauty routine—playing with raspberry lipstick hues and pastel-colored lids with talented makeup Artist, Pati Dubroff—Chopra has been loyal to her dark hair for most of her time in the spotlight. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra's Honeymoon Highlights Are a Spring Trend in the Making," 18 Jan. 2019 Bubbling up from the revelations that are so routine as to become boring is that increasingly unavoidable fact: Facebook isn't for you. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Facebook Was Never Really For You," 19 Dec. 2018 Glamour: How has motherhood changed your beauty routine? — Jillian Ruffo, Glamour, "Eva Longoria on Motherhood, Diversity in Hollywood, and Self-Care," 6 Dec. 2018 Outrageous, exaggerated, petty, routine or self-important, these electronic missives from the most powerful man on Earth cannot be ignored. — Andrew Malcolm, SFChronicle.com, "Is Donald Trump chief executive or executive producer?," 28 June 2018 Every other variation of green in between has been incorporated into my makeup routine, though, including lime, forest, and emerald. — Devon Abelman, Allure, "PSA: Green Color Corrector Doubles as the Perfect Mint Eye Shadow," 24 Oct. 2018 In a set of clips posted to her Instagram Story Monday, Kimberly took her followers through her postpartum routine, including a few of her favorite products for both mom and baby. — Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, "James Van Der Beek Shares a Photo of His Newborn Daughter's 'Placenta in a Mixing Bowl'," 19 June 2018 Exciting new projects will come to look routine, not surprising. — John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit train station is city's biggest comeback moment yet," 15 June 2018

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