regime
Americannoun
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a mode or system of rule or government.
a dictatorial regime.
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a ruling or prevailing system.
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a government in power.
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the period during which a particular government or ruling system is in power.
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Medicine/Medical. regimen.
noun
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a system of government or a particular administration
a fascist regime
the regime of Fidel Castro
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a social system or order
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med another word for regimen
Etymology
Origin of regime
First recorded in 1770–80; from French régime, from Latin regimen regimen
Explanation
A regime is the ruling government of a country. The amount of freedom and restriction that citizens of a country have can change from regime to regime. Regime takes its militaristic and government feel from the Latin word regimen "to rule." A political regime has a negative association to it that makes you think of totalitarian governments. How did it come to mean "diet" or "program of exercise" as well? If you are put on a regime of exercise and healthy eating, you are ordered by a doctor to do these things and it probably feels like you're being ruled sometimes!
Vocabulary lists containing regime
"Bonne Annee," Vocabulary from the personal essay
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Persepolis
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President Trump's Second State of the Union Address (2019)
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What is different now is that the regime faces an existential threat, endangering the militias as well.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
"This regime has been on for about three years and beyond stabilisation they have nothing to show for it," said a Pakistani economic official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026
But by Saturday, the strait was closed by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps after two Indian-flagged vessels were attacked by the regime.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026
Mafi, an Iranian immigrant who got a green card in 2016, is alleged to have skirted American sanctions to shepherd munitions between the Iranian regime and its patron.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026
The eastern frontier, where Dacca was located, was fighting for autonomy from the ruling regime in the west.
From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
