routine

Universal Words noun, adjective noun 1 [C,U] the normal order and way in which you regularly do things: We are trying to get the baby into a routine for feeding and sleeping. * Make exercise a part of your daily routine. * We clean and repair the machines as a matter of routine. 2 [U] (disapproving) a situation in which life is boring because things are always done in the same way: She needed a break from routine. 3 [C] a series of movements, jokes, etc. that are part of a performance: a dance routine * We need some new material for our routine. 4 [C] (computing) a list of instructions that enable a computer to perform a particular task adjective [usuallybeforenoun] 1 done or happening as a normal part of a particular job, situation or process: routine enquiries / questions / tests * The fault was discovered during a routine check. 2 not unusual or different in any way: He died of a heart attack during a routine operation. 3 (disapproving) ordinary and boring SYNDULL: a routine job / task / life * This type of work rapidly becomes routine. routinely adverb: Visitors are routinely checked as they enter the building. * This information is now routinely available to anyone with access to a computer. * The prisoners were routinely (= repeatedly) subjected to torture.