routine
Americannoun
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routines
plural
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a customary or regular course of procedure.
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commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity.
the routine of an office.
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regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure.
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an unvarying and constantly repeated formula, as of speech or action; convenient or predictable response.
Don't give me that brotherly-love routine!
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Computers.
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a complete set of coded instructions directing a computer to perform a series of operations.
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a series of operations performed by the computer.
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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
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of the nature of, proceeding by, or adhering to routine.
routine duties.
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dull or uninteresting; commonplace.
noun
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a usual or regular method of procedure, esp one that is unvarying
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computing a program or part of a program performing a specific function
an input routine
an output routine
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a set sequence of dance steps
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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
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Bronx Masquerade
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The Circuit
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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.
See Examples For:
"This speaks to the need for routine screening and integration of cardiac behavioral medicine to allow for access to important interventions."
From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026
In that context, Gunn decided to play to her own strengths with a creative gamble, developing a routine that paid cheeky homage to her Australian roots.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
To simplify her cooking routine, Jessica Furseth looked back at her childhood kitchen—and found a solution to the weeknight dinner blues.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
During her time at Apple, Dorman helped build a form-factor prototype for one of Cook’s routine check-ins with the team.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 29, 2026
He leapt up on his hindquarters and launched into the routine Chico had taught him at the animal shelter.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
It's back-to-school time again - and families brace for the challenge of swapping summer lie-ins for school routines, easing first-day nerves and getting ready for the year ahead.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
According to Bleiker, becoming familiar with classroom routines at an earlier age may make it easier for children to adjust when they enter elementary school.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
Adam Christing is best known as the founder of Clean Comedians, a group that includes Nate Bargatze and specializes in stand-up routines that are free of profanity and dirty jokes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
In terms of morning routines, Heyward and Freeman were on far ends of the spectrum.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
I remember when I did my first few assignments as a brand-new national team member, I’d congratulate the other girls after their routines.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
