Origin: Latin suffix -ment
Regiment has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
army unit smaller than a division
"The general ordered the entire regiment to advance across the valley during the morning assault."
A unit of armed troops under the command of an officer, and consisting of several smaller units; now specifically, usually composed of two or more battalions.
"The new infantry regiment marched into town in four separate battalions to secure the border."
In plain English: A regiment is a large group of soldiers organized together as part of an army unit.
"The army has established three new regiments to defend the border."
Usage: Use this word to refer to a large military division containing multiple battalions rather than individual squads or companies. Avoid confusing it with "regulate," which means to control the pace or order of something non-military.
form (military personnel) into a regiment
"The general decided to reorganize the scattered battalions and formally regiment them under his direct command."
To form soldiers into a regiment.
"The general ordered the scattered troops to be formed into a single, disciplined regiment before dawn."
In plain English: To regiment something means to organize it into strict groups with rigid rules and routines.
"The strict schedule regimented every hour of her day."
The word comes from the Old French regement, which was borrowed from a later form of Latin meaning "a direction or plan." Ultimately derived from the verb to rule, it entered English with this sense of organized command.