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
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
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The rapid descent of temperatures, which in some cases may reach the upper 20s, raises concerns for agriculture, property maintenance, and daily routines as winter-like conditions arrive.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Once impressive shows — such as an afternoon set at the 2024 Jackalope Jamboree in Pendleton, Oregon, to an overflow crowd — became routine.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
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Noun
This routine has continued ever since, with seven Ralphies having appeared as the team’s mascot.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
The rapid descent of temperatures, which in some cases may reach the upper 20s, raises concerns for agriculture, property maintenance, and daily routines as winter-like conditions arrive.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Levi also shared his simple skincare routine — and how the women in his household have a hand in it.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Once impressive shows — such as an afternoon set at the 2024 Jackalope Jamboree in Pendleton, Oregon, to an overflow crowd — became routine.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for routine
Cite this Entry
“Routine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/routine. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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