self-regulate

verb

self-reg·​u·​late ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 

 also  -ˈrā-

self-regulated; self-regulating; self-regulates

1

intransitive : to regulate oneself or itself

allowing markets to self-regulate

… noted the overwhelming lack of public trust in the financial services industry's ability to self-regulate effectively …

—Sally Rose

The idea is that the kids learn how to manage and self-regulate.

—Cheyenne Derksen Schroeder

2

transitive : to control or govern (something) for or by oneself

… was hired by the motion picture industry to head up a new body to self-regulate the movies.

—Katharine Monk

the ability of the child to self-regulate her behavior

… a horse who is permitted to self-regulate his intake will eat only what his body needs.

—Juliet M. Getty

self-regulative

ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tiv 

 also  -ˈrā-

adjective

self-regulative processes

Examples of self-regulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smith had promoted laissez-faire economics which contended a wide range of things, including the individual pursuit of self-interest, minimum government intervention in the economy, the value of competition, the belief in self-regulating free markets, and free trade. — Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

Haidt emphasizes that free play, without adults managing every interaction, is where children learn to collaborate, improvise, and self-regulate. —Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Be The First To Set A New Standard In a reputation-sensitive environment, companies and leaders who self-regulate early often earn stakeholder trust before it’s mandated. —Natalie Dolphin, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Unlike the theatrical release of films, which are subject to clearance from the Indian government’s Central Board of Film Certification, streamers are urged to self-regulate content, albeit per government guidelines. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-regulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate