hygiene

[hahy-jeen]

noun

1. Also the science that deals with the preservation of health.

2. a condition or practice conducive to the preservation of health, as cleanliness.

   Poor personal hygiene can lead to health issues such as skin infections.

   Mental hygiene in children should be constantly monitored by parents and teachers.

3. a beneficial or recommended practice or set of practices (used in combination).

   Using the same password on all of your important accounts is simply not good password hygiene.

hygiene

/ ˈhaɪdʒiːn /

noun

1. Also called: hygienics. the science concerned with the maintenance of health

2. clean or healthy practices or thinking

   personal hygiene

Word History and Origins

Origin of hygiene¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from French hygiène, from New Latin hygieina, from Greek hygieinḕ (téchnē) “healthful (art),” feminine of hygieinós “healthful,” equivalent to hygiḗ(s) “healthy” + -inos -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hygiene¹

C18: from New Latin hygiēna, from Greek hugieinē, from hugiēs healthy

Example Sentences

There is evidence of poor nutrition, poor hygiene and rationing of period products and toilet paper at Clearsprings' sites, charities have told us.

Read more on BBC

Schoen said it had "addressed the issues" identified in the latest food hygiene inspection and its kitchens were overseen by a new head chef.

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The new law will only take effect in two years, with tattoo artists having to pass a national exam, complete safety and hygiene training, and keep detailed records.

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Ship management systems are now required - rather than simply advised - to include increasingly stringent cyber security measures, ranging from basic security hygiene to more technical operational and IT measures.

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He said prisoners face difficulty obtaining basic hygiene items and are not permitted to spend enough time outside of their cells.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sanitation 

When To Use

What does hygiene mean?

Hygiene is a collection of practices to promote and preserve health, or a condition involving the use of such practices.In its most popular sense, hygiene refers to habitual actions that help you stay physically healthy, such as washing your hands and brushing your teeth. This sense of the word is especially used in phrases like personal hygiene and good hygiene. Personal hygiene is closely associated with cleanliness.Hygiene can also be applied to one’s mental well-being—mental hygiene is the practice of trying to maintain mental health through proactive behavior and treatment.The word hygiene is also used to refer to the science that deals with preserving health—both of individuals and the general public. Another word for this is hygienics.The adjective hygienic can mean related to or involving hygiene, promoting good health, or sanitary.Example: Washing your hands is the easiest way to improve your personal hygiene.