Illustration of rein
- R rein 1
1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
—usually used in plural
2
a
: a restraining influence : check
kept a tight rein on the proceedings
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
the reins of government
3
: opportunity for unhampered activity or use
gave full rein to her imagination
reined; reining; reins
1
: to control or direct with or as if with reins
2
: to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins
reined in her horse
couldn't rein his impatience
1
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
2
archaic
: to submit to the use of reins
Synonyms
Examples of rein in a Sentence
Noun
He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process.
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Verb
try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving
Recent Examples on the Web
Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Forced to scrap his two-quarterback system, Napier handed the reins to true freshman DJ Lagway, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit in 2024.
—Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump’s election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rein 
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Noun
The latest action comes just weeks before the incumbent U.S. president hands over the reins to Donald Trump.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Forced to scrap his two-quarterback system, Napier handed the reins to true freshman DJ Lagway, the nation’s No. 1 quarterback recruit in 2024.
—Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
Supervisors consider how to rein it in San Diego County schools retirement program outsources financial advisers
Is Georgia’s election system constitutional?
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024
Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump’s election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rein
Dictionary Entries Near rein
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rein. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rein
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or strap fastened to a bit on each side for controlling an animal (as a horse)
—usually used in plural
2
a
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
kept the child under a tight rein
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
seized the reins of government
3
: complete freedom : scope
gave full rein to her imagination
rein
2 of 2 verb
: to check, control, or stop by or as if by reins
reined in the horse
couldn't rein his impatience
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