routine

1 of 2

noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn 

1

a

: a regular course of procedure

if resort to legal action becomes a campus routine

—J. 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" routine

—Ray 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 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• drill
• grind
• groove
• lockstep
• pattern
• rote
• rut
• treadmill

Adjective

• average
• common
• commonplace
• cut-and-dried
• cut-and-dry
• everyday
• garden-variety
• normal
• ordinary
• prosaic
• run-of-the-mill
• standard
• standard-issue
• unexceptional
• unremarkable
• usual
• workaday

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

Add humor to your daily routines in small ways, like leaving funny notes, creating playful nicknames or sharing lighthearted jokes. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

The survey found that the Silent Generation and baby boomers are the least consistent in their daily washing and toothbrushing routines. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Make unwinding together a routine, like watching a funny show, sharing amusing stories or even browsing funny videos. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

In the absence of anything pointing to the time before or the time to come, routine assumed a central importance in his life. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing routine

• a matter of routine

Kids Definition

routine

1 of 2 noun

rou·​tine rü-ˈtēn 

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

: commonplace entry 2, ordinary

2

: done or happening in a usual or standard way

routinely adverb