routine

1 of 2

noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
1
a
: a regular course of procedure
if resort to legal action becomes a campus routineJ. A. Perkins
b
: habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure
the routine of factory work
2
: a reiterated speech or formula
the old "After you" routineRay Russell
3
: a worked-out part (as of an entertainment or sports contest) that may be often repeated
a dance routine
especially : a theatrical number
4
: a sequence of computer instructions for performing a particular task

routine

2 of 2

adjective

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
ˈrü-ˌtēn
1
: of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary
routine problems
2
: of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure
routine business

Examples of routine in a Sentence

Noun Grandma gets upset if we change her routine. A brisk walk is part of her morning routine. The job will be easier once you settle into a routine. the boring routine of paperwork Adjective The surgery has become a very routine operation and poses little danger. He criticized her routine absence from important meetings. The more you do it, the more routine it becomes. They hire high-school students for routine work such as filing. Data entry becomes routine very quickly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
How to Brush a Toddler’s Teeth Getting a routine down is key. Jessica Booth, Parents, 10 Mar. 2024 This compact makeup is the perfect addition to your beauty routine for a smooth finish. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Shark Ultra-Light Vacuum $182 Add some luxury to your cleaning routine with this lightweight multi-purpose vacuum. Christopher Murray, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 Now, watch Isabela Merced's beauty routine: Follow Allure on Instagram and TikTok, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 8 Mar. 2024 Comforting little touches like these are all part of the daily routine. Alex Greggery, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 Instead, Hall and Reimers recommend using behavioral routines and phrases to indicate that food is coming. Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 What started as a pandemic-era distraction became an obsession and a daily routine. Ben Crair, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2024 Or for senior management to recognize that each operational change affects a hundred people’s daily routines. Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Her desert ordeal began with a routine stop for gas, albeit in a striking landscape. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 While Colas said these indicators don’t point to a bubble bursting anytime soon, more modest pullbacks are not only possible but routine. The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 Ambulances will be stationed near the Old City gates to respond to routine emergencies or violence. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Clara Hendler Why does skin care routine order matter? Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 His only exposure came from routine training blasts on the training range — at a level that is supposed to be safe. Dave Philipps, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 In Alps, the actors and their patrons treat the macabre service as commonplace and routine, behaving with an emotional detachment that feels incongruous with the strange situation. Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Mix up your routine One of the most common reasons for hitting a plateau is sticking with the same workout for too long. Dana Santas, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Children this age do well with routine and knowing the limits. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'routine.' 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

Noun

French, from Middle French, from route traveled way

First Known Use

Noun

1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1744, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of routine was in 1661

Dictionary Entries Near routine

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

routine

1 of 2 noun
rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn How to pronounce routine (audio)
1
: a standard or regular way of doing something
2
: an often repeated speech or formula
3
: a part (as of an act or a sports performance) that is carefully worked out so it can be repeated often
a comedy routine
a dance routine
a gymnastic routine
4
: a set of computer instructions that will perform a certain job

routine

2 of 2 adjective
1
2
: done or happening in a usual or standard way
routinely adverb

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