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

In a new interview with the Associated Press, Rodgers, 40, shared that he’s been drinking cayenne pepper water as part of his rehab regimen. —Korin Miller, Health, 2 Nov. 2024

This is because hyaluronic acid serums are usually heavier than toner and a lot lighter than a moisturizer, making the in-between an optimum time to add the skincare ingredient to your regimen. —Jessie Quinn, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Antioxidants Overall, antioxidants are a wonderful addition to any skin-care regimen. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 29 Oct. 2024

Popular on Variety Either way that Gilmour’s touring regimen might or might not turn out in years to come, the Intuit Dome was a fine place to be alive and living in the moment Friday, under the spell of a man who is very careful with that axe. —Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2024

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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