1 a : happening over and over again at the same time or in the same way : occurring every day, week, month, etc.
▪ He works regular hours. [=he works at the same time every work day] ▪ He has never held a regular [=steady] job. ▪ Most days she follows a regular routine/schedule. ▪ The music has a regular [=steady] beat.
b : happening at times that are equally separated
▪ The town holds regular meetings. ▪ five regular payments of $100 ▪ His breathing/heartbeat is regular. [=normal] ▪ The sales team meets on a regular basis. [=regularly] ▪ The buses run from 4 a.m. to midnight at regular intervals. [=there is the same amount of time between buses] — opposite irregular 2 always used before a noun a : happening or done very often
▪ Seeing wildlife is a regular [=common] occurrence where she lives. ▪ We made regular use of the pool. ▪ Getting regular exercise is important. ▪ Exercise has become a regular part of my lifestyle. ▪ The theater was in regular use [=was used continuously] for over 20 years.
b : doing the same thing or going to the same place very often
▪ He is a regular contributor to the magazine. ▪ She is a regular [=frequent] guest on the TV show. ▪ He is one of the store's regular customers. [=customers who shop at the store frequently] 3 : spaced an equal distance apart
▪ The seedlings were planted in regular rows. ▪ The wallpaper has a regular pattern of stripes. ▪ The boards are placed at regular intervals. [=the space between each board is the same] 4 always used before a noun a : normal or usual
▪ Our regular business/office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ▪ The regular price is $45, but it is on sale for $30. ▪ I saw a different doctor because my regular doctor was on vacation. ▪ He is substituting today for the regular quarterback. ▪ The class will meet at the regular time tomorrow. ▪ The regular [=scheduled] television programming was interrupted by a special report. ▪ The regular season for football begins soon. ▪ Parties are a regular feature of college life. ▪ He sat down in his regular spot.
b chiefly US : not special or unusual
▪ Do you use regular or premium gas in your car? ▪ Would you like a regular [=normal size] soda or a large? ▪ He's a regular [=average, ordinary] guy. ▪ It's nothing special, just a regular [=basic] stereo. = It's just a regular old stereo. ▪ He drinks regular coffee. [=coffee that has caffeine] 5 [more regular; most regular] a : having a shape that is smooth or even
▪ a regular surface/outline
b : having parts that are arranged in an even or balanced way
▪ He has very regular features. 6 grammar : following the normal patterns by which word forms (such as the past tenses of verbs) are usually created
▪ “Talk” is a regular verb because its past tense is “talked.” ▪ nouns with regular plural forms 7 always used before a noun, informal — used for emphasis ▪ She's become a regular [=real] expert on fitness. 8 : able to have normal bowel movements : not constipated
▪ Eating plenty of fiber helps me keep/stay regular. 9 [more regular; most regular] : having or being menstrual cycles that usually last the same number of days each time
▪ She is very regular. = Her cycle is very regular. 10 always used before a noun : belonging to a country's official army
▪ the regular army/troops/soldiers