rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈri-gər How to pronounce rigor (audio)
1
a(1)
: harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
The least one might observe is that this muddle of moralism and laxity, extreme rigor and casual permissiveness, arduous altruism and nonchalant selfishness, has consequences.Peter Berkowitz
(2)
: the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
Their abandonment of this terminology is part of an effort to soften the rigor of some of the rigid consequences thought to flow from the mechanical application of this dichotomy.John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo
(3)
: severity of life : austerity
… a moral rigor and growth that might help this country.Stanley Kauffmann
b
: an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
… the humanist must recognize the normality, the practical necessity of the very rigors he is trying to soften and correct.Hermann J. Muller
2
: a tremor caused by a chill
This young woman presented at the hospital with severe abdominal pain and signs of infection, including fever, rigor, and leukocytosis.Robert E. Scully et al.
3
: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
especially : extremity of cold
the rigors of a New England winter
4
: strict precision : exactness
logical rigor
Tentatively one might suggest that what characterizes science is the rigor of its methodology …Ernst Mayr
5
a
obsolete : rigidity, stiffness
b
: rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
c
: rigor mortis
A fish has its best flavor and texture when cooked while just coming out of rigor.Jane Daniels Lear

Examples of rigor in a Sentence

They underwent the rigors of military training. the rigors of life in the wilderness They conducted the experiments with scientific rigor. a scholar known for her intellectual rigor
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Surely, Parker had no desire to be measured against that sort of rigor. Sloane Crosley, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 Acquirers should conduct leadership assessments with the same rigor as financial due diligence. Abhishek Nanda, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Her religious fervor often puts her in the role of disciplinarian for her rebellious niece Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) and soft-hearted sister Hilda (Lucy Davis), both of whom lack the discipline to serve the Dark Lord with the proper rigor. Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024 To uplift public schools, CCS must focus on academic rigor and removing political distractions from classrooms. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rigor 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rigor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rigor

Cite this Entry

“Rigor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rigor

noun
rig·​or ˈrig-ər How to pronounce rigor (audio)
1
a
: the quality of not being flexible or yielding
b
: an act or instance of being strict or harsh
2
: a shuddering caused by a chill
3
: a condition that makes life difficult or uncomfortable
especially : extreme cold
4
: strict precision : exactness
logical rigor

Medical Definition

rigor

noun
rig·​or
ˈrig-ər, British also ˈrī-ˌgȯr
1
b
: a tremor caused by a chill
2
a
: rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

More from Merriam-Webster on rigor

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