# regime

/ɹeɪˈʒim/ (US) · /ɹeɪʒˈiːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regime
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. authoritarian government

noun · CEFR B2

a government that has total power and does not allow much freedom.

For teachers: a form of government or the administration in power, typically one that is authoritarian or totalitarian in nature.

- The old regime was finally overthrown after years of peaceful protests.
- International observers expressed concern that the military regime would suppress dissent ahead of the upcoming national elections.

### 2. system of rules

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a strict or organized way of doing things, like a plan for exercise or work.

For teachers: a systematic or regulated way of managing something; a set of rules or a specific method of operation.

- The athletes follow a strict training regime to prepare for the competition.
- The new regulatory regime aims to increase transparency within the financial sector by requiring more frequent reporting from major banks.

### 3. medical/health plan

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a specific plan for food, exercise, or medicine to improve your health.

For teachers: a prescribed course of medical treatment, diet, or exercise for the promotion or restoration of health.

- The doctor put her on a new drug regime to help manage her blood pressure.
- Patients who strictly adhered to the daily exercise regime showed significantly faster recovery rates than those in the control group.

Usage: Often used interchangeably with 'regimen' in medical contexts.

### 4. crime family unit

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Slang

a small group or unit within a large criminal organization.

For teachers: a division of a Mafia crime family, typically led by a caporegime.

- He was promoted to lead his own regime within the organization.
- The investigation revealed that the regime was responsible for illegal gambling operations across the city's northern suburbs.

## Examples

- The old regime fell after the protests.
- The athlete follows a strict training regime that includes daily swimming and a high-protein diet.
- International observers expressed concern that the new regime might roll back environmental protections established by the previous administration during the last decade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.