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

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

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026

Direct and unfussy, she led Symphony No. 15, which opened the mid-afternoon program, in a performance distinguished by rigor, polish and conviction.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

It’s hard to love “Coriolanus,” but it’s equally hard not to be impressed by its ambition, originality and dramatic rigor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

Whatever one thinks of Bruen, Hemani demonstrates that historical analysis imposes meaningful constraints only if courts insist on genuine analogical rigor.

From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026

Investigations would now be carried out with rigor instead of just feel.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

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

In other words, Mr. Gould writes, “young strivers who were willing to endure the rigors of urban decay.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025

Amos is frank about maturing in the music industry, specifically when it comes to the rigors and shrinking opportunities for women that come with age.

From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2025

Babcock sent him out with a stern warning: His leg would not stand the rigors of riding.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

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