regimen

noun

reg·​i·​men ˈre-jə-mən 

also

ˈre-zhə- 

1

a

: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient

b

: a regular course of action and especially of strenuous training

the daily regimen of athletes

2

: government, rule

3

: regime sense 1c

Did you know?

Being but humble lexicographers, we cannot say whether an apple a day truly keeps the doctor away, but as far as regimens go, one could do a lot worse than snackin’ on a McIntosh. Regimen, which usually refers to a system of rules or guidelines—often for living a healthy life or taking a regular dose of exercise—comes ultimately from a Latin verb, regere, meaning “to direct.” Regere led in apple-pie order to the English word regimen, first by way of the Latin noun regimen, meaning “steering” or “control,” and then via the Medieval Latin regimen, referring to a set of rules. Other regere descendants fell further from the tree, including correct, erect, region, rule, and surge. Be sure not to confuse regimen with another of its kin, regiment, which refers to a military unit, as doing so could upset the apple cart.

Synonyms

• administration
• authority
• governance
• government
• jurisdiction
• regime
• régime
• rule

Examples of regimen in a Sentence

with the start of the new year, a new party will have regimen over the nation and, hopefully, bring some much-needed change

Recent Examples on the Web

But a poor hair care regimen can also lead to weaker, frizzier, and more brittle strands over time. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025

The Jokkmokk testing regimen often sees temperatures as low as -30° to -35° C (or almost where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet at -40). —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 25 Mar. 2025

The pastor was treated with an antibiotic regimen for 6 weeks, then his heart implant was replaced four months after it was initially removed, according to the report. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025

Though the exact recommendations vary from mask to mask, and there are some outliers with shorter or longer treatment times, the most common regimen is at least three to five times per week for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin regimin-, regimen position of authority, direction, set of rules, from Latin, steering, control, from regere to direct

First Known Use

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

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Kids Definition

regimen

noun

reg·​i·​men ˈrej-ə-mən 

-ˌmen

1

: a regular course of treatment

2

: a form of government : rule

Medical Definition

regimen

noun

reg·​i·​men

ˈrej-ə-mən also ˈrezh-ə-

: a systematic plan (as of diet, therapy, or medication) especially when designed to improve and maintain the health of a patient