routine
Americannoun
-
a customary or regular course of procedure.
-
commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity.
the routine of an office.
-
regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure.
-
an unvarying and constantly repeated formula, as of speech or action; convenient or predictable response.
Don't give me that brotherly-love routine!
-
Computers.
-
a complete set of coded instructions directing a computer to perform a series of operations.
-
a series of operations performed by the computer.
-
-
an individual act, performance, or part of a performance, as a song or dance, given regularly by an entertainer.
a comic routine; a dance routine.
adjective
-
of the nature of, proceeding by, or adhering to routine.
routine duties.
-
dull or uninteresting; commonplace.
noun
-
a usual or regular method of procedure, esp one that is unvarying
-
computing a program or part of a program performing a specific function
an input routine
an output routine
-
a set sequence of dance steps
-
informal a hackneyed or insincere speech
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of routine
First recorded in 1670–80; from French, derivative of route route
Explanation
A routine is like a habit or sequence that doesn't vary. There are daily routines and dance routines, and maybe even daily dance routines. Something routine isn't unusual: routine things happen all the time. Most jobs have a routine — things that must be done on a regular basis. People often get surprised by things that aren't part of their routine, or "shake up their routine." Computer routines are predetermined and predictable. Singers and dancers also have routines — the planned performances they've (hopefully) been practicing.
Vocabulary lists containing routine
Unit 3: Compelling Evidence
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bronx Masquerade
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Circuit
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Human trials would also be required before any treatment targeting HTR2B could enter routine use.
From Science Daily • Jul. 12, 2026
As a senior, her Michael Jackson-inspired routine went viral and drew sold-out crowds to almost all of UCLA’s meets.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026
At this point, many managers are aware that AI can help generate ideas or speed up routine work, said Priya Rathod, workplace-trends editor at career website Indeed.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 9, 2026
Muñoz also points to other factors fuelling this particular surge: the Covid pandemic delaying routine jabs, a lack of regular measles-rubella mass vaccination campaigns since 2020, overcrowding and Eid holiday travel.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026
Sometimes he’d vary his routine and go on long walks, wandering with his memories near the caves in the Buda Hills—or he’d have an espresso on the terrace of the Hilton on Castle Hill.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
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.
