regimen

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A fixed plan of diet, exercise or treatment that someone follows regularly to improve or protect their health.

   Grammar: Takes an or the: a daily regimen.

   Patterns

   • a regimen of something
   • follow a regimen

   Her doctor put her on a strict regimen of pills and rest.

   He follows a demanding exercise regimen before every race.

   A skin care regimen can be as simple as washing and moisturizing.

2. 2nouncountable

   Any strictly organized routine or system that people must follow.

   Grammar: Often suggests firm discipline.

   Patterns

   • a regimen of something

   The orchestra's practice regimen left little time for anything else.

   The school ran a regimen of early mornings and cold showers.

Word forms

Common combinations

an exercise regimen

Her exercise regimen includes swimming.

a strict regimen

The athlete keeps a strict regimen.

a daily regimen

Vitamins are part of his daily regimen.

follow a regimen

Patients must follow the regimen exactly.

a treatment regimen

The doctor adjusted the treatment regimen.

Synonyms and how they differ

routine

Routine is the everyday word for habitual actions, while regimen suggests a planned and often medical or disciplined program.

program

Program is broader and can be public or educational, whereas regimen is about a personal or health course.

schedule

Schedule says only when things happen, but regimen says what must be done and how.

course

Course, as in a course of antibiotics, covers treatment over a set time, while regimen includes habits like diet.

Word family

regimented adjective

controlled very strictly

regiment noun

a military unit, from the same Latin root

regiment verb

to organize in a very strict way

regimentation noun

strict control of how people behave

Commonly confused: regimen or regime?

Practice

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