# regiment

/ˈɹɛdʒəmənt/ (US) · /ɹˈɛdʒɪmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regiment
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. military unit

noun · CEFR B2

a large group of soldiers that is part of a bigger army.

For teachers: a permanent unit of an army, typically commanded by a colonel and divided into several companies or battalions.

- His grandfather served in a famous cavalry regiment during the war.
- The regiment was deployed to the border following a series of diplomatic failures, marking the first time the unit had seen active service in a decade.

### 2. rule or government

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for the way a country or person is ruled.

For teachers: the act or power of governing; authority or rule over a jurisdiction.

- The old books describe the queen's long and peaceful regiment over the islands.
- In his political treatise, the philosopher argued that a just regiment must balance the needs of the individual against the stability of the state.

### 3. to organize strictly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to organize people or things into a very strict, almost military system.

For teachers: to organize according to a strict system or pattern, often implying a loss of individual freedom.

- The school day was heavily regimented, with every minute planned for the students.
- Critics argued that the new corporate policy would regiment the creative staff to the point where innovation became impossible.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice to describe a controlled environment.

### 4. to form a military unit

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to organize soldiers into a formal army group.

For teachers: to form or organize soldiers into a regiment or similar military body.

- The volunteers were quickly regimented and sent to the front lines.
- The general sought to regiment the disparate local militias into a cohesive fighting force capable of sustained operations.

## Examples

- He joined a famous cavalry regiment.
- The regiment marched through the city center to celebrate their return from the overseas mission.
- Historical records indicate that the regiment maintained its distinct traditions and uniform styles even after being integrated into the larger divisional structure of the modern army.

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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.