noun
hygiene
HYE-jeen/ˈhaɪdʒiːn/
Practices and conditions that keep people or systems clean and healthy.
Handwashing and wiping the kitchen surface are basic hygiene practices.
Etymology
Greek hygies, “healthy,” underlies the expression “the healthful art.” Hygiene thus names practices for preserving health, with cleanliness understood as a means to that end.
In context
make sure you just practice normal hygiene routine to keep the area clean
More examples
- The clinic emphasized good hygiene.
- They improved hygiene in the food area.
- The course also covered digital hygiene.
Forms
hygiene
hygienic adjective — conducive to cleanliness and health
Similar words
- cleanliness
- The condition of being clean rather than practices maintaining health.
- sanitation
- Often concerns public systems for cleanliness and waste control.