Routine

/ruːˈtiːn/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.
She followed her morning routine of jogging and then having breakfast.
A set sequence of movements or actions in a performance.
The dancer practiced her routine until it was perfect for the competition.
A frequently used program or procedure in computing.
The backup routine runs every night at midnight to save the data.
verb
To make something routine; to make habitual.
He decided to routine his exercise regimen to improve his health.

Etymology

Middle French 'routine', meaning ‘a course, a flow’, derived from 'rute' meaning ‘way or path’.

Common Phrases and Expressions

break the routine
To do something different from one’s usual pattern of behavior.
in a routine
Following a fixed plan or habitual approach.
go through the motions
To do something in a perfunctory way without real enthusiasm.

Related Words

habit
A settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.
schedule
A plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of intended events and times.
ritual
A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.

Slang Meanings

Same old, same old
Living in the city can sometimes feel like the same old, same old.
Groundhog Day
My weekdays feel like Groundhog Day; they are all the same.