routine

routine — noun

1. the set of things a person does regularly at the same time or in the same order,

1.nounB1
Definition

the set of things a person does regularly at the same time or in the same order, especially as part of day-to-day life

Example

Nia follows the same morning routine — coffee first, then a short jog in the park.

collocation: morning routine / daily routine

The hospital introduced a new safety routine that all nurses must follow before any operation.

collocation: safety routine / introduce a routine

Common collocations
  • daily routine
  • morning routine
  • exercise routine
  • follow a routine
  • establish a routine
  • stick to a routine
  • part of the routine
Synonyms
  • habit

    refers to one repeated action, not a whole set

  • schedule

    emphasises the timing rather than the sequence of actions

  • practice

    often implies an established method or custom

  • regimen

    more formal, especially for health or fitness plans

Antonyms

Usage Note

Commonly paired with morning, daily, exercise, or safety to specify the type of repeated activities. Verbs like follow, establish, develop, and stick to are frequent collocates.

Common Mistakes

I have a morning habit of drinking coffee, taking a shower, and walking the dog.
I have a morning routine of drinking coffee, taking a shower, and walking the dog.
A routine is a series of connected actions; a habit is usually one repeated behaviour.

2. a prepared sequence of physical actions, spoken jokes, or other material that a

2.nounB2
Definition

a prepared sequence of physical actions, spoken jokes, or other material that a performer uses repeatedly as part of a show or competition

Example

The comedian's opening routine about airport delays had the whole audience laughing.

collocation: opening routine / comedy routine

Shirin practised her dance routine for months before the regional competition.

collocation: dance routine

Common collocations
  • comedy routine
  • dance routine
  • magic routine
  • opening routine
  • practise a routine
  • rehearse a routine
Synonyms
  • act

    a single performance segment, often shorter than a full routine

  • number

    old-fashioned term for a song or dance in a show

  • set

    used in music and comedy for a complete performance by one artist

Usage Note

Often modified by a genre word (comedy, dance, magic, exercise) that tells what kind of performance it is. A routine may be repeated across many shows.

3. a block of code inside software that carries out one particular task whenever th

3.nounB2
Definition

a block of code inside software that carries out one particular task whenever the program runs

Example

Imani wrote a routine that automatically backs up the database every hour.

computing terminology: write a routine / backup routine

A sorting routine organises the list of customer names before the report is printed.

Common collocations
  • backup routine
  • sorting routine
  • error-handling routine
  • write a routine
  • call a routine
  • execute a routine
Synonyms
  • subroutine

    a routine called from within another routine; more precise in computing

  • function

    modern term for a named block of code that returns a value

  • procedure

    a routine that performs an action without necessarily returning a value

Usage Note

Most common in technical and programming contexts. In everyday conversation, program or function is used instead. The related term subroutine is also common in older programming textbooks.

routine — adjective

Word family

  • routinely
    adverbB2
  • routinize
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Routine emphasises a fixed sequence of actions performed regularly — your morning routine includes several steps in order. A habit is one repeated behaviour (e.g., biting your nails), not a set. A schedule focuses on timing (when things happen) rather than the order of actions. Practice suggests a customary method or repeated exercise to improve a skill (piano practice). Regimen is more formal and usually tied to health, diet, or fitness plans that are strict and structured. For example: 'Her morning routine involves yoga, a shower, and breakfast' (sequence). 'Her habit of checking her phone at meals annoyed her friends' (single action). 'Her workout regimen includes three gym sessions per week' (structured plan).

habit ↗schedule ↗practice ↗regimen

Common collocations

Nouns

  • routine check
  • routine task
  • routine work
  • routine maintenance
  • routine inspection
  • routine operation
  • routine matter

Adverbs

  • routinely

Phrases

  • part of the routine
  • break the routine
  • get into a routine
  • fall into a routine

Prepositions

  • in a routine
  • as a routine
  • out of one's routine

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Routine entered English in the 1500s from French 'routine', which meant a usual course of action. The French word came from 'route' (road or path), and 'route' itself traces back to Latin 'rupta via' — literally 'a broken way' or 'a forced path through the countryside.' Over time the idea of following a fixed path broadened into the modern meaning of doing the same things in the same order.