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hygienist

American  
[hahy-jee-nist, -jen-ist, hahy-jee-nist] / haɪˈdʒi nɪst, -ˈdʒɛn ɪst, ˈhaɪ dʒi nɪst /
Also hygeist,

noun

  • hygienists
    plural
  1. an expert in hygiene.

  2. dental hygienist.


hygienist British  
/ ˈhaɪdʒiːnɪst, ˈhaɪdʒiːɪst /

noun

  1. a person skilled in the practice of hygiene See also dental hygienist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of hygienist

First recorded in 1835–45; hygiene + -ist


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“I’ve had to undergo the pickax every time I go to the hygienist, and get ticked off.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

In the view of Stephen Petty, a chemical engineer and industrial hygienist, the data was also flawed because the testing company hired by Norfolk Southern took background samples in contaminated areas, among other things.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

Mr Mellor said he paid for the appointment and subsequently complained in an email about the service offered and being forced to sign up to the hygienist.

From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2026

She has since returned to Cerritos, which offers a bachelor’s degree to help her achieve her goal of becoming a dental hygienist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2025

Those were the words that went through Raymie’s head every time she thought about her father and the dental hygienist.

From "Raymie Nightingale" by Kate DiCamillo

Costs are rising for everything from construction to hygienists to new 3D imaging equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026

Insurance companies frequently refuse to pay industrial hygienists to test for dangerous contaminants such as lead and asbestos, or refuse to pay to have them safely removed when they’re found.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 24, 2025

Sealants were administered by dental hygienists, while SDF was applied by either dental hygienists or registered nurses, all under the supervision of a dentist.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 4, 2024

It says the NHS dental contract has been reformed to encourage more dentists to provide NHS treatments and to allow dental therapists and hygienists to offer extra services.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2023

But what leads me first to speak of appearances is the huge responsibility that had gone to hygienists.

From The Invisible Censor by Francis Hackett

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