rigor

noun

rig·​or ˈri-gər How to pronounce rigor (audio)
1
a(1)
: harsh inflexibility in opinion, temper, or judgment : severity
The least one might observe is that this muddle of moralism and laxity, extreme rigor and casual permissiveness, arduous altruism and nonchalant selfishness, has consequences.Peter Berkowitz
(2)
: the quality of being unyielding or inflexible : strictness
Their abandonment of this terminology is part of an effort to soften the rigor of some of the rigid consequences thought to flow from the mechanical application of this dichotomy.John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo
(3)
: severity of life : austerity
… a moral rigor and growth that might help this country.Stanley Kauffmann
b
: an act or instance of strictness, severity, or cruelty
… the humanist must recognize the normality, the practical necessity of the very rigors he is trying to soften and correct.Hermann J. Muller
2
: a tremor caused by a chill
This young woman presented at the hospital with severe abdominal pain and signs of infection, including fever, rigor, and leukocytosis.Robert E. Scully et al.
3
: a condition that makes life difficult, challenging, or uncomfortable
especially : extremity of cold
the rigors of a New England winter
4
: strict precision : exactness
logical rigor
Tentatively one might suggest that what characterizes science is the rigor of its methodology …Ernst Mayr
5
a
obsolete : rigidity, stiffness
b
: rigidness or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli
c
: rigor mortis
A fish has its best flavor and texture when cooked while just coming out of rigor.Jane Daniels Lear

Examples of rigor in a Sentence

They underwent the rigors of military training. the rigors of life in the wilderness They conducted the experiments with scientific rigor. a scholar known for her intellectual rigor
Recent Examples on the Web Charlie Collins was one of the top signees in the class, but is the 6-5, 252-pounder ready for SEC rigors? Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 In truth, the youngster has battled with form and injuries ever since her miraculous triumph at Flushing Meadows, appearing to struggle with the rigors of the senior tour. Ben Church, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Given the academic rigor of New York City private schools, a high percentage of students qualify to apply to top colleges, in this way, then, a student competes not only with the broader applicant pool for admission, but also with their classmates applying to these same schools. Christopher Rim, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Increasing academic rigor and success throughout all grades with a particular focus on resources for Shorewood Intermediate School, special education, advanced learning and curriculum revamps. Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2024 The families were reluctant at that time to subject their daughters to the rigors of the criminal justice system. Ana Claudia Chacin and, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 In the 2019 article, which relies on a different dataset, both experts identified unsupported assumptions and misleading presentations of the findings that, in their opinions, demonstrate a lack of scientific rigor and render the authors’ conclusion unreliable. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024 Princeton coach Carla Berube put together a difficult nonconference schedule so her team would be ready for the rigors of the Ivy League as well as potentially another NCAA Tournament run if the Tigers can get back there. Doug Feinberg, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 What sets Soderbergh’s ghost story apart from any other is its incredible formal rigor; with continuous shots and wide-angle lenses, the camera never leaves the perspective of the spirit. Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rigor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rigour, from Anglo-French, from Latin rigor, literally, stiffness, from rigēre to be stiff

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of rigor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rigor

Cite this Entry

“Rigor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rigor

noun
rig·​or ˈrig-ər How to pronounce rigor (audio)
1
a
: the quality of not being flexible or yielding
b
: an act or instance of being strict or harsh
2
: a shuddering caused by a chill
3
: a condition that makes life difficult or uncomfortable
especially : extreme cold
4
: strict precision : exactness
logical rigor

Medical Definition

rigor

noun
rig·​or
ˈrig-ər, British also ˈrī-ˌgȯr
1
b
: a tremor caused by a chill
2
a
: rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue that prevents response to stimuli

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