When to Use Regimen v. Regiment

English is a tough language. Many words sound or look the same but have very different meanings. Recently, I’ve heard/seen regimen and regiment used interchangeably in conversations and in articles , and I had to clear up the confusion. They come from the same Latin root, which probably contributes to the problem.

Regimen: noun, from the Latin regimen, meaning rule or government; derived from the Latin regere, to lead straight or to rule

• A structured plan, such as a diet, exercise routine, or medication, especially one used to improve or maintain someone’s health
• A regular course of action, especially rigorous training; example: Olympic athletes follow a strict training regimen
• Government, rule

Regiment: from the Latin regimentum, from regimen

Noun:

• A military unit consisting of a number of battalions (battalion = large group, a military company composed of a headquarters and two or more companies)
• Archaic: governmental rule

Verb:

• To form or assign into a regiment
• To organize rigidly for the sake of control
• To subject to order or uniformity, example: She carefully regiments her son’s diet.

Word Nerd tip

Regimen is always a noun, and is basically a routine or plan.  Regiment either describes a military group or is a verb.  For more details, visit Merriam-Webster.

Word Nerd Workout

Choose the right word in the following sentences.

1. Her coach gave her a training regimen/regiment for her vacation.
2. The article criticized the school district’s plan to regimen/regiment extracurricular activities.
3. Sarah has started a new regimen/ regiment to get her blood pressure under control.

Have you struggled with regimen and regiment?  What word pairs give you trouble?

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!

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