1
: a science of the establishment and maintenance of health
2
: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) conducive to health
has poor personal hygiene
Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good oral hygiene.
see also feminine hygiene
Examples of hygiene in a Sentence
Poor sanitation and hygiene caused many of the soldiers to get sick.
He has very poor personal hygiene.
Brushing your teeth regularly is an important part of good dental hygiene.
Recent Examples on the Web
The idea is that mouthwash should be integrated into everyone’s daily hygiene routine just as full-body showers are.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 July 2025
Ovarian cancer risk Some data show links between cancer of the ovaries and a specific type of talc exposure: the use of baby powder in intimate areas for personal hygiene.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 23 July 2025
The first of those can be mitigated by basic security hygiene, and the latter appears to be a false alarm.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Because the space has no oversight, take the reins by posting a community note on the door or in the room that acknowledges the gym is a stuffy space and requests that everyone air the gym out during workouts and practices community-minded hygiene.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hygiene
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Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 29 July 2025
Ovarian cancer risk Some data show links between cancer of the ovaries and a specific type of talc exposure: the use of baby powder in intimate areas for personal hygiene.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 23 July 2025
The first of those can be mitigated by basic security hygiene, and the latter appears to be a false alarm.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Because the space has no oversight, take the reins by posting a community note on the door or in the room that acknowledges the gym is a stuffy space and requests that everyone air the gym out during workouts and practices community-minded hygiene.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hygiene
Cite this Entry
“Hygiene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hygiene. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hygiene
noun
hy·giene
ˈhī-ˌjēn 
1
: a science that deals with the bringing about and keeping up of good health in individuals and groups
2
: conditions or practices (as of cleanliness) that are aids to good health
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