rigor

American  

[rig-er] / ˈrɪg ər /

especially British, rigour

noun

rigors plural

1. strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.

   Synonyms:

   stringency, inflexibility

2. the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.

3. severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity.

   the rigor of wartime existence.

4. a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.

   Synonyms:

   cruelty

5. scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence.

   the logical rigor of mathematics.

6. severity of weather or climate or an instance of this.

   the rigors of winter.

7. Pathology. a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.

8. Physiology. a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.

9. Obsolete. stiffness or rigidity.

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rigor British  

/ ˈraɪɡɔː, ˈrɪɡə /

noun

1. med a sudden feeling of chilliness, often accompanied by shivering: it sometimes precedes a fever

2. pathol rigidity of a muscle; muscular cramp

3. a state of rigidity assumed by some animals in reaction to sudden shock

4. the inertia assumed by some plants in conditions unfavourable to growth

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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

• rigors
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rigor rigors

French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont, however, described Turk as "a voice of conscience" who had demonstrated "rigor and impartiality" during his first term.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

Seren White, who worked on the design of the new curved armour, said the plates had "been tested with the highest level of rigor".

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

In writing history, there must be intense rigor — evidence is important and if you have evidence that should counteract any bias or hypothesis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

This approach can produce reliable conclusions more quickly than a conventional trial while maintaining scientific rigor.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026

Not to say that the job would be easy, or in need of any less rigor and sophistication than the previous research; simply that it could be done.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

The 1984 musical, inspired by the painter Georges Seurat’s 1886 pointillist masterpiece “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” explored the rigors and rewards of the artistic process.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026

But the rigors of touring, especially with travel the way it is ...

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 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

It is one of the striking amenities at High Point, which prides itself on preparing students for the rigors of a career—and has also become a favorite of affluent families.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2025

A boy who lacked discipline, whose family was relieved when he was called to France, hoping that maybe the rigors of the army would smooth out his jagged edges, help him grow up.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• accuracy
• austerity
• difficulty
• firmness
• hardship
• harshness
• ordeal
• precision
• rigidity
• tenacity
• tribulation
• vicissitude