routine

play

noun rou·tine \rü-ˈtēn\

Definition of routine

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

See routine defined for English-language learners

See routine defined for kids

Examples of routine in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of routine from the Web

As for makeup and other beauty treatments: There is no reason to deviate from your regular routine.

— charlotte cowles, The Cut, "How to Survive Wedding Season When You’re Broke," 20 July 2017
His family members said his daily routine included a visit to her gravestone since her death in 2015.

— dave altimari, courant.com, "Katherine Berman, Wife Of ESPN Personality Chris Berman, Died From Blunt Trauma, Drowning," 19 July 2017
No matter the case, the personal life and daily routine of a juror is interrupted and put on hold.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: The importance of jury service," 19 July 2017
Consider a five- to 10-minute stretching routine to open the body.

— jae berman, charlotteobserver, "Not reaching your wellness goals? Take a look at your nighttime routine," 19 July 2017
Very often, this occurs because of a variation in the parent's normal routine.

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Mother tries to deal with daughter's defilement," 18 July 2017
The only people more hopeless than the six primary characters are the people younger than them, who perform graphic twerk routines at parties and believe internet reports that lung cancer’s been debunked.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Friends From College Is a Tragedy of Arrested Development," 16 July 2017
And one more step toward making such a story routine.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "Scott Frantz’s coming out shows how ‘the culture has already changed in football’," 14 July 2017
Daily walks with his two dogs again became part of his routine, as did a 6.5-kilometer Saturday run.

— jon cohen, Science | AAAS, "A stem cell transplant helped beat back a young doctor’s cancer. Now, it’s assaulting his body," 12 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of routine

French, from Middle French, from route traveled way

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1661

See Words from the same year

Other Dance Terms

attitude, honor, saltatory, sashay, taw

routine

play

adjective rou·tine \rü-ˈtēn, ˈrü-ˌ\

Definition of routine

1 : of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary routine problems
2 : of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure routine business

routinely

adverb

See routine defined for English-language learners

Examples of routine in a Sentence

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 of routine from the Web

The beginning of Aurora City Council meetings is pretty routine.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Officer guards his last Aurora City Council meeting," 30 June 2017
A tractor growls, the packing trailer jerks into motion and Betancourt and his co-workers begin their routine: walk, stoop, cut, toss.

— gary coronado, www.latimes.com, "To keep crops from rotting in the field, farmers say they need Trump to let in more temporary workers," 25 May 2017
As far as everyone was concerned, the whole thing was a routine prowler call.

— paul buchanan, Los Angeles Magazine, "How a 13-Year-Old Boy Brought Down L.A.’s Most Notorious Serial Killer," 15 May 2017
Climate Central scientists analyzed hundreds of coastal American cities and, in 90 of them, projected rapid escalation in the number of roads and homes facing routine inundation.

— john upton, Scientific American, "The Injustice of Atlantic City’s Floods," 14 May 2017
Nuisance floods are becoming routine features of coastal living around America, and their impacts are difficult to assess.

— john upton, Scientific American, "The Injustice of Atlantic City’s Floods," 14 May 2017
What better way to escape the routine and enjoy the benefits of warmer temperatures?

— gayla grace, South Florida Parenting, "How to protect your child's skin from the sun," 3 May 2017

First Known Use of routine

1744

ROUTINE Defined for English Language Learners

routine

play

noun

Definition of routine for English Language Learners

: a regular way of doing things in a particular order
: a boring state or situation in which things are always done the same way
: a series of things (such as movements or jokes) that are repeated as part of a performance

routine

play

adjective

Definition of routine for English Language Learners

: done very often
: done or happening as a normal part of a job, situation, or process
: easily done according to a set way or method

ROUTINE Defined for Kids

routine

play

noun rou·tine \rü-ˈtēn\

Definition of routine for Students

1 : a usual order and way of doing something Taking a shower is part of my morning routine.
2 : a series of things that are repeated as part of a performance a dance routine