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

As someone who’s chronically running 15 minutes behind at all times, my morning skin care routine has to be as quick as possible. — Glamour, "This SPF Moisturizer Is Perfect If You Hate Wearing Sunscreen," 15 Mar. 2019 Hoda's new book was inspired by Haley Joy's bedtime routine. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'Today' Show Star Hoda Kotb Hinted That Her Daughter Might Be Getting a Sibling," 6 Mar. 2019 Given her renowned workout routines — upside-down sit-ups anyone? — Pat Graham, The Seattle Times, "Cold feat: Vonn’s legacy not solely defined by wins, crashes," 10 Feb. 2019 That way, when that decline occurs, they are used to the environment, understand the routines and know the staff. — Kelsey Mo, azcentral, "When and how to discuss senior-housing options with aging parents," 13 July 2018 Ashley Graham The model and red carpet commentator gave us a peek at her glam routine, which included a cup of coffee and a high-wattage smile. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Best Celebrity Instagrams from the 2019 Oscars," 24 Feb. 2019 The Workout After moving to New York in 2015, Mr. Amin continued his BollyX routine, taking classes on Tuesday nights at a gym called Complete Body. — Jen Murphy, WSJ, "His Gym Class Turns Into a Bollywood Musical," 9 Feb. 2019 Bojack treats it as part standup routine, part therapy session. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "TV Technica 2018: Our favorite shows and binges," 24 Dec. 2018 The meeting followed the usual routine: a financial report, a rundown of operational issues and then the real business — distributing profits to each Trump. — Susanne Craig, The Seattle Times, "Trump engaged in suspect tax schemes as he reaped riches from father," 2 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Scott Lunger, 48, during a routine traffic stop July 22, 2015, in Hayward. — Bradford Betz, Fox News, "Suspected cop killer will face death penalty, DA's office says," 24 Aug. 2018 Two Maine men were arrested after guns and drugs in their car during a routine traffic stop on Interstate 495 in Haverhill early Thursday morning, Massachusetts State Police said. — Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, "Two Maine men arrested on gun, drug charges on I-495 in Haverhill," 6 July 2018 The event marks the 1-year anniversary of when Oceanside police officer Brad Hunter was hit by a driver last June and seriously injured while conducting a routine traffic stop. — Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Volunteers glean fruit to donate to food banks," 25 June 2018 Jackie Wilson and his brother, Andrew Wilson, were found guilty of killing Chicago police Officers Richard J. O'Brien and William Fahey during a routine traffic stop in 1982. — Megan Crepeau, chicagotribune.com, "Judge tells prosecutor to 'toughen up' during hearing in Jackie Wilson case after new trial ordered," 20 June 2018 In Director X’s version, police brutality and Black Lives Matter are threaded into the story, with audiences exposed to Atlanta police shooting a black man during a routine traffic stop. — Andrea Mandell, USA TODAY, "5 things to know about the new 'Superfly'," 12 June 2018 What started as a routine traffic stop for a broken taillight in Springfield, Massachusetts, has escalated into a succession of grisly discoveries that have shaken the blue-collar city. — NBC News, "3 bodies found at home of Massachusetts man accused of kidnapping, torture," 1 June 2018 Authorities in Galveston found 19 kilos of cocaine during a routine traffic stop, police said. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Galveston officers find 19 kilos of cocaine during traffic stop," 1 June 2018 Authorities seized 118 pounds of fentanyl during a routine traffic stop last month. — Nicole Chavez, CNN, "Record fetanyl bust in Nebraska finds enough doses to kill about 26 million people," 25 May 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.