1
a
: a regular course of procedure
if resort to legal action becomes a campus routine—
J. A. Perkins
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
Ray Russell3
: 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
1
: of a commonplace or repetitious character : ordinary
routine problems
2
: of, relating to, or being in accordance with established procedure
routine business
Synonyms
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
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 11 Nov. 2024
Her coach, Cecile Landi, saw that judges had erred in evaluating the degree of difficulty for an element of her routine and her score was corrected, landing her in third place.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Eve Lom Twelve Day Advent Calendar Buy Now for $290
From its cult-favorite cleanser to its pampering masks, Eve Lom's 12-product skincare set has everything your routine needs to boost your glow in the new year.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for routine 
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Noun
After intercepting a pass in the final minutes to help seal the deal, Bynum instinctively found the camera in the end zone, then busted out a routine he’s been working on for a few weeks.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 11 Nov. 2024
Her coach, Cecile Landi, saw that judges had erred in evaluating the degree of difficulty for an element of her routine and her score was corrected, landing her in third place.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The consent calendar typically includes noncontroversial items that are routine in nature which are all approved in a single vote.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Eve Lom Twelve Day Advent Calendar Buy Now for $290
From its cult-favorite cleanser to its pampering masks, Eve Lom's 12-product skincare set has everything your routine needs to boost your glow in the new year.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for routine
Dictionary Entries Near routine
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/routine. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective2
: done or happening in a usual or standard way
routinely
adverb
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