self-regulation

noun

self-reg·​u·​la·​tion ˌself-ˌre-gyə-ˈlā-shən 

-ˌre-gə-,

 also  -ˌrā-

plural self-regulations

: the act or condition or an instance of regulating oneself or itself: such as

a

: control or supervision from within instead of by an external authority

the online marketing industry's self-regulation of consumer privacy protections

also : a rule imposed in self-regulation

Banks were left to largely manage themselves, and establish industry-wide self-regulations …

—Kevin Plummer

According to the Federal Trade Commission, food marketing cannot be false, deceptive or unfair. But there are other, more specific, self-regulations out there for ads related to kids.

—Alexandra Sifferlin

b

: the bringing of oneself or itself into a state of order, method, or uniformity

self-regulation of an ecosystem

emotional self-regulation

Examples of self-regulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But research informs us that routines and rituals help with self-regulation and job stress, contributing to productivity and career success. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

In an ideal world, self-regulation would preclude self-interest. —Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

For many, having an emotional journal can help with self-regulation. —Natalie Boehm, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

My hope that breathwork could be a powerful tool for my own self-regulation and my two-year-old’s co-regulation led me to a desert wellness retreat, Sensei Porcupine Creek, to learn practical techniques. —Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-regulation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration