noun
Common
regiment
REHD-zhih-muhnt
Regiment (noun) means a military unit made up of several smaller units, commanded by an officer. Example: “My grandfather served in a cavalry regiment before he became a farmer.”
noun
1
A military unit made up of several smaller units, commanded by an officer.
"My grandfather served in a cavalry regiment before he became a farmer."
"Each regiment carried its own flag and had its own proud traditions."
"As the prime minister insisted that he had "never told a lie" in his life, the Tory leader attacked him for ordering Scottish troops into battle with no warning that their regiments would be disbanded."
— Nicholas Watt, Michael White (2005)
"It was an old, withered man, who had served the Government in the days of the Mutiny as a native officer in a newly raised cavalry regiment."
— , Rudyard Kipling (1900)
"The regiment marched into the city at dawn."
verb
1
To organize something into a strict, rigid system.
"The new manager tried to regiment the office with rigid rules for everything."
"Some parents regiment their children's weekends so tightly that nobody has free time."
"Their daily lives were regimented down to the minute."
How to use regiment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a large group of soldiers organized under one command, or (as a verb) to organize something strictly and rigidly.
Common pairings
army regiment
regimented schedule
join the regiment
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Word forms
- Plural
- regiments
- Third person singular
- regiments
- Past tense
- regimented
Fill the gap
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My grandfather served in a cavalry _____ before he became a farmer.
Etymology
From Late Latin regimentum, "direction for government," from Latin regere, "to rule."
Related words
Rhymes for regiment
pediment
sediment
condiment
detriment
sentiment
merriment
compliment
experiment
embodiment
impediment
accompaniment
See all rhymes for regiment →
Frequently asked questions
What does “regiment” mean?
The word “regiment” means a military unit made up of several smaller units, commanded by an officer. In plain terms, either a large group of soldiers organized under one command, or (as a verb) to organize something strictly and rigidly.
How do you pronounce “regiment”?
“Regiment” is pronounced REHD-zhih-muhnt (/ˈɹɛd͡ʒɪmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “regiment” in a sentence?
Here is “regiment” used in a sentence: “The regiment marched into the city at dawn.”
What part of speech is “regiment”?
Depending on how it is used, “regiment” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “regiment” come from?
The word “regiment” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin regimentum, "direction for government," from Latin regere, "to rule.".
Is “regiment” a common word?
“Regiment” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “regiment” have?
“Regiment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a military unit made up of several smaller units, commanded by an officer.
What is the difference between 'regiment' and 'regimen'?
A 'regiment' is a large military unit, or as a verb it means to organize something rigidly. A 'regimen' is completely different: it is a planned routine, especially for health, such as a diet or exercise regimen. The two are often confused because they look and sound similar.
What is the difference between a 'regiment' and a 'battalion'?
A regiment is usually the larger unit, made up of several smaller units commanded by an officer. A battalion is one of those smaller components, so a regiment typically contains two or more battalions.
What is the difference between a 'regiment' and a 'brigade'?
Both are military formations, but they sit at different levels and their exact size varies between armies. A brigade is generally a larger grouping that can be made up of several regiments or battalions.
How is 'regiment' used as a verb?
As a verb, to 'regiment' something means to organize it into a strict, rigid system with firm control, as in 'the schedule regimented every hour of their day.' It often carries a slightly negative tone of excessive control.
