régime

Régime is a French word used in several languages, and in English it is most often written without the accent as regime. It denotes either a government or system of rule, or a structured plan of eating or medical treatment. The term derives from Latin regimen, from regere “to rule.”

In the political sphere, a regime refers to the form or the government that holds power in a country, or to the government itself, especially when describing a period of rule. The term can carry neutral, descriptive, or critical connotations depending on the context and the observer’s view of legitimacy, stability, or human rights. Examples include constitutional regimes, authoritarian regimes, or post-revolution regimes.

In nutrition and health contexts, a régime or diet refers to a prescribed pattern of eating aimed at weight management, health improvement, or medical goals. In English, the more common terms are diet, dietary regimen, or regimen in a medical sense. Diet regimens can be balanced, restrictive, or therapeutic, and opinions on their safety and efficacy vary. In French, phrases such as régime alimentaire are standard, and the word régime is used in everyday speech to mean both the diet and the system or course of eating.

Beyond politics and health, the term regime appears in science and geography to describe typical patterns of natural processes, such as a river’s flow regime or a climatic regime, indicating the regularities that dominate a system over time.

In usage, it is important to distinguish regime from regimen. Regime generally refers to governance or a prescribed program of living, while regimen with an “i” is more often used for medical or therapeutic plans.