regime
Americannoun
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a mode or system of rule or government.
a dictatorial regime.
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a ruling or prevailing system.
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a government in power.
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the period during which a particular government or ruling system is in power.
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Medicine/Medical. regimen.
noun
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a system of government or a particular administration
a fascist regime
the regime of Fidel Castro
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a social system or order
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med another word for regimen
Etymology
Origin of regime
First recorded in 1770–80; from French régime, from Latin regimen regimen
Explanation
A regime is the ruling government of a country. The amount of freedom and restriction that citizens of a country have can change from regime to regime. Regime takes its militaristic and government feel from the Latin word regimen "to rule." A political regime has a negative association to it that makes you think of totalitarian governments. How did it come to mean "diet" or "program of exercise" as well? If you are put on a regime of exercise and healthy eating, you are ordered by a doctor to do these things and it probably feels like you're being ruled sometimes!
Vocabulary lists containing regime
"Bonne Annee," Vocabulary from the personal essay
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Persepolis
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President Trump's Second State of the Union Address (2019)
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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.
They underestimated the resilience, ruthlessness and guile of the Islamic regime.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The regime that had ruled Iran since the Shah was overthrown in 1979 was on the way out.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
The regime doesn’t release official economic data, tightly controls information and orchestrates what visitors can see.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
During economic crises, the regime would crack the door open to small businesses like shoe-repair places and tourist services.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
If the right type of propaganda was directed at the German people, he believed the Nazi regime could be overthrown.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
