WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
hy•giene /ˈhaɪdʒin/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
hy•gi•en•i•cal•ly, adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Medicinethe scientific study of how to preserve health and prevent disease.
- cleanliness, esp. so as to preserve health and prevent disease.
hy•gi•en•i•cal•ly, adv.
hy•giene
(hī′jēn),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- MedicineAlso, hygienics. the science that deals with the preservation of health.
- a condition or practice conducive to the preservation of health, as cleanliness.
- Greek hygieinè̄ (téchnē) healthful (art), feminine of hygieinós healthful, equivalent. to hygié̄(s) healthy + -inos -ine1
- Neo-Latin hygieina
- French hygiène
- 1590–1600
hy•gi•en•ic
(hī′jē en′ik, hī jen′-, -jē′nik),USA pronunciation adj.
hy′gi•en′i•cal•ly, adv.
- conducive to good health;
healthful;
sanitary. - of or pertaining to hygiene.
- hygiene + -ic 1825–35
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See sanitary.