regimen
Americannoun
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Medicine/Medical. a regulated course, as of diet, exercise, or manner of living, intended to preserve or restore health or to attain some result.
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Grammar. government.
noun
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Also called: regime. a systematic way of life or course of therapy, often including exercise and a recommended diet
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administration or rule
Etymology
Origin of regimen
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: rule, government, guidance, equivalent to reg ( ere ) to rule + -i- -i- + -men, noun suffix of result
Explanation
A regimen is a systematic plan for some kind of therapy. If your doctor tells you to eat more vegetables, cut out potato chips, exercise, and take vitamins, she is prescribing a regimen for better health. It's easy to confuse regimen with regime. While both words can refer to an organized plan for diet, exercise, or medical therapy, only regime can refer to a system of government. If you wash your face twice a day, apply medicine to your acne, and use a special lotion, that's your skin-care regimen. But if a country votes out the ruling party in favor of new leaders, that's a new regime.
Vocabulary lists containing regimen
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Six
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One of Us Is Lying
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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.
Now, he’s on a hormone regimen that makes him tired and occasionally moody.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
But developing a new instructional regimen for complex high-stakes moon missions as the agency tries to aggressively ramp up Artemis launches from once every 3 1/2 years to every six months is a different beast.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
However, some studies have found that a regimen of mifepristone and misoprostol is more effective than misoprostol alone.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
But broadly speaking, the combination regimen is preferred, as it can help hasten the process and curb uncomfortable side effects including cramping and bleeding.
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
Wolfie eventually surrendered to my regimen and began working out with me in the morning before he left for town.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
