regime

American  

[ruh-zheem, rey-, -jeem] / rəˈʒim, reɪ-, -ˈdʒim /

Or régime

noun

1. a mode or system of rule or government.

   a dictatorial regime.

2. a ruling or prevailing system.

3. a government in power.

4. the period during which a particular government or ruling system is in power.

5. Medicine/Medical. regimen.

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regime British  

/ reɪˈʒiːm /

noun

1. a system of government or a particular administration

   a fascist regime

   the regime of Fidel Castro

2. a social system or order

3. med another word for regimen

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regime Cultural  

1. An administration, or a system of managing government.

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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!

Example Sentences

Raz Zimmt, director of the Iran research program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said the highly unpopular regime risks looking vulnerable at home if it lets the perception of divisions persist.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Nearly 900 strikes in 12 hours targeted Iranian military infrastructure, air defenses, and regime leadership simultaneously.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

China formally launched islandwide customs closure for the Hainan Free Trade Port late last year, effectively placing the island inside China’s territory but outside its ordinary customs regime.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Officers have arrested a total of 23 individuals since the first attack on a place linked to Jewish communities, or those who oppose the Iranian regime.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The regime would not admit a state of war until it was proclaimed in a decree that had followed a court-martial which had condemned Colonel Aureliano Buendía to death in absentia.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Related Words

• administration
• establishment
• government
• management
• reign
• rule
• system