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Definition of hygiene

hygiene

/ˈhaɪ.dʒiːn/
hy · giene
Adverb:hygienically
•
Adjective:hygienic
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hygiene Lexical Profile

hygiene Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through personal or environmental cleanliness.

Example

"Washing your hands thoroughly before preparing meals is an essential part of good kitchen hygiene."

2

The branch of medical and public health science concerned with the preservation and promotion of health.

Example

"The university established a new department dedicated to tropical medicine and public hygiene."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hygiene
Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

hydropower
hydrotherapy
hyena
hygiene
hygienic
hygienically
hygienics

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from French hygiène, via Modern Latin from Ancient Greek hygieinē (tekhnē), meaning '(art) of health', derived from hygiēs ('healthy' or 'sound') and associated with Hygieia, the Greek goddess of health and cleanliness.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hygiene. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hygiene
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