hygiene

noun

hy·​giene ˈhī-ˌjēn 

 also  hī-ˈjēn

1

: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health

has poor personal hygiene

Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good oral hygiene.

see also feminine hygiene

hygienist

hī-ˈjē-nist 

ˈhī-ˌjē-

hī-ˈje- 

noun

Examples of hygiene in a Sentence

Poor sanitation and hygiene caused many of the soldiers to get sick.

He has very poor personal hygiene.

Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good dental hygiene.

Recent Examples on the Web

How to have good ‘hygiene’ with credit reports Consumers should check their credit reports at least once a year, Rust said. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025

Local spaces aiming to support beauty and wellness needs are opening their doors to collect beauty, hygiene, and menstruation product donations from all who wish to lend a hand. —Essence, 17 Jan. 2025

Her tragic ordeal began early on Oct. 7, 2023, witnessing the murder of her parents, followed by being taken hostage as an orphan, silenced, and held in dark, filthy rooms in Gaza with no food, water, or hygiene. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

This highlights the importance of maintaining basic cybersecurity hygiene. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French hygiène & New Latin hygieina, from Greek, neuter plural of hygieinos healthful, from hygiēs healthy; akin to Sanskrit su well and to Latin vivus living — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hygiene

• feminine hygiene

Kids Definition

hygiene

noun

hy·​giene ˈhī-ˌjēn 

1

: a science that deals with the bringing about and keeping up of good health in individuals and groups

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) that are aids to good health

Medical Definition

hygiene

noun

hy·​giene

ˈhī-ˌjēn also hī-ˈ

1

: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health see industrial hygiene, mental hygiene

2

: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health