routine
Americannoun
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routines
plural
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a customary or regular course of procedure.
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commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity.
the routine of an office.
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regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure.
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an unvarying and constantly repeated formula, as of speech or action; convenient or predictable response.
Don't give me that brotherly-love routine!
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Computers.
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a complete set of coded instructions directing a computer to perform a series of operations.
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a series of operations performed by the computer.
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an individual act, performance, or part of a performance, as a song or dance, given regularly by an entertainer.
a comic routine; a dance routine.
adjective
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of the nature of, proceeding by, or adhering to routine.
routine duties.
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dull or uninteresting; commonplace.
noun
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a usual or regular method of procedure, esp one that is unvarying
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computing a program or part of a program performing a specific function
an input routine
an output routine
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a set sequence of dance steps
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informal a hackneyed or insincere speech
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of routine
First recorded in 1670–80; from French, derivative of route route
Explanation
A routine is like a habit or sequence that doesn't vary. There are daily routines and dance routines, and maybe even daily dance routines. Something routine isn't unusual: routine things happen all the time. Most jobs have a routine — things that must be done on a regular basis. People often get surprised by things that aren't part of their routine, or "shake up their routine." Computer routines are predetermined and predictable. Singers and dancers also have routines — the planned performances they've (hopefully) been practicing.
Vocabulary lists containing routine
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
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Bronx Masquerade
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The Circuit
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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:
Pardilla remembers bar hopping as a routine weekend activity.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
The Lincoln, normally based in San Diego, set sail in November for a routine deployment to the Pacific.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
"It takes a little organisation, but it's become a routine," said Thomas, who goes to the gym almost every day.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
With hiring managers prioritizing in-person work and AI able to tackle routine tasks that traditionally monopolized entry-level workers’ time, one could argue being agreeable is paramount.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
The odyssey became more than just a routine or a habit.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
The changing room is busy with footballers going through their pre-match routines.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Readers shared their thoughts about older athletes in competition, as well as their own routines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Because both early and late eating windows produced lasting benefits, patients may be able to choose the schedule that fits their routines most comfortably.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
She said there’s grief for the people, routines and even a person’s identity that’s been left behind.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
Finally, when I’d managed to put together seven routines that counted, I burst out, “Oh my gosh! How am I still on beam routines?”
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
