rigor
Americannoun
-
rigors
plural
-
strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.
- Synonyms:
- stringency, inflexibility
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the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.
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severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity.
the rigor of wartime existence.
-
a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.
- Synonyms:
- cruelty
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scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence.
the logical rigor of mathematics.
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severity of weather or climate or an instance of this.
the rigors of winter.
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Pathology. a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.
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Physiology. a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.
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Obsolete. stiffness or rigidity.
noun
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med a sudden feeling of chilliness, often accompanied by shivering: it sometimes precedes a fever
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pathol rigidity of a muscle; muscular cramp
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a state of rigidity assumed by some animals in reaction to sudden shock
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the inertia assumed by some plants in conditions unfavourable to growth
Usage
What is rigor? Rigor is strictness and inflexibility, as in The military academy was known for its dedication to perfection, discipline, and rigor. Rigor is also hardship or austerity, as in Young soldiers are rarely ready to handle the rigors of war. Rigor can also refer to a strict accuracy, as with scientific experiments. If a teacher is known for their rigor, they are very strict about things like students finishing all their homework and are likely to punish students who don’t follow the rules. A person known for rigor is likely to support punishments for people who misbehave rather than rewards for people who behave. Rigor can also mean a condition that makes life harder, such as living without electricity. When referring to austerity, can mean living without a lot of things that make life pleasant, like takeout food, video games, and traveling. Finally, rigor can mean strict accuracy or precision, as in The report on water pollution was commended for its scientific rigor. In British English, this word is commonly spelled as rigour. The adjective form of rigor is rigorous and it is most often used to mean something is very harsh or full of difficulties, as in It takes years of rigorous training to be an Olympic athlete. Example: We nearly froze as we huddled in the log cabin and suffered through the rigors of the harsh, unforgiving winter.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of rigor
1350–1400; Middle English rigour < Latin rigor stiffness, equivalent to rig ( ēre ) to be stiff + -or -or 1
Explanation
When a school boasts of its academic rigor, it means its students learn a lot and work really hard. Rigor means thoroughness and exhaustiveness — the gold standard for a good teacher. You may have heard of "rigor mortis" — which is a medical term describing the stiffness of a body after death. Another meaning of rigor is "sternness or severity" — for many, the rigors of boot camp are not easy to endure.
Vocabulary lists containing rigor
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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.
See Examples For:
"That rigor gives us confidence as we move toward deliveries."
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
If you want to hear what passes for rigor in Weiss’ newsroom, the tape is available.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
“Once he joined Netflix, I saw up close how his dedication to quality filmmaking, rigor around dealmaking and strategy, and collaborative spirit elevated our film business.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026
Some favor academic rigor; others cultural belonging, diversity, discipline, language, religion or the arts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
He is a psychologist by training, but he also studied mathematics at MIT, and the rigor and precision of mathematics clearly moves him as much as anything else.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Tryfman said the heavy caseload of a public defender has prepared her for the bench’s rigors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Cheap Trick also spaces out dates when possible, giving members time to recuperate from the rigors of the road.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
The damp climate and the rigors of life on the march were tough for a man in his 60s who had long suffered from crippling gout and could often barely walk.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026
The German, who logic says should be eaten alive by the horrible rigors of his job at Ibrox, also looks like he's revelling in the gig.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025
Babcock sent him out with a stern warning: His leg would not stand the rigors of riding.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
