regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 

 also  ˈrā-

regulated; regulating

transitive verb

1

a

: to govern or direct according to rule

b(1)

: to bring under the control of law or constituted authority

(2)

: to make regulations for or concerning

regulate the industries of a country

2

: to bring order, method, or uniformity to

regulate one's habits

3

: to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

regulate the pressure of a tire

regulative

ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tiv 

 also  ˈrā-

adjective

regulatory

ˈre-gyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

 also  ˈrā-

adjective

Synonyms

• bridle
• check
• constrain
• contain
• control
• curb
• govern
• hold
• inhibit
• keep
• measure
• pull in
• rein (in)
• restrain
• rule
• tame

Examples of regulate in a Sentence

The dam regulates the flow of water into the river.

We need better laws to regulate the content of the Internet.

Laws have been made to regulate working conditions.

The government regulates how much lead may be found in our water supply.

The department regulates foreign trade.

Recent Examples on the Web

The issue of whether and how the FCC should regulate internet providers’ carriage of different sites, services, and apps did not come up in the 2024 campaign, but Republicans have consistently opposed net-neutrality regulations. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

These naturally occurring hormones play crucial roles in regulating insulin, appetite and metabolism. —Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

The top vote-getter will lead the town on key issues ranging from regulating unruly short-term rentals to preserving quality of life over the next four years. —Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

This is the primary metabolite of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep patterns.10 Research suggests that physically active people should consume caffeine 60 minutes before exercise because blood levels of caffeine reach their maximum value 60 minutes after ingestion. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare, from Latin regula rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing regulate

• re-regulate
• self-regulate

Kids Definition

regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt 

regulated; regulating

1

a

: to govern or direct according to rule

b

: to bring under the control of authority

regulate prices

2

: to bring order or method to

regulate one's habits

3

: to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

regulate the pressure of a tire

the brain regulates the heartbeat

regulator

-ˌlāt-ər

noun

regulatory

-lə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Etymology

from Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare "to regulate, direct," from regula "a rule, straightedge" — related to rail entry 1, regent, rule

Medical Definition

regulate

transitive verb

reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt 

regulated; regulating

1

: to control or direct according to rule or law

regulate the testing of experimental drugs

2

: to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

regulatory

-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

adjective

Legal Definition

regulate

transitive verb

reg·​u·​late

regulated; regulating

1

: to govern or direct according to rule

2

a

: to bring under the control of law

b

: to make regulations for or concerning