self-regulating

American  

[self-reg-yuh-lay-ting, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈrɛg jəˌleɪ tɪŋ, ˈsɛlf- /

adjective

1. adjusting, ruling, or governing itself without outside interference; operating or functioning without externally imposed controls or regulations.

   a self-regulating economy; the self-regulating market.

2. functioning automatically.

   a self-regulating machine.

---

self-regulating British  

adjective

1. (of a business, society, etc) enforcing or upholding its own rules and laws without external agency of intervention

---

Etymology

Origin of self-regulating

First recorded in 1830–40

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-regulating

One could be forgiven if memories of the cool-internet era have grown fuzzier over the years, now that the web has become a self-regulating machine in an indomitable surveillance system and all.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2026

“The companies are moving very fast and external regulation is moving slower — the IPO event itself might be a self-regulating event,” Bala said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026

This would be modeled after the self-regulating organization that oversees stockbrokers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

"This self-regulating behavior helps keep fuel production more stable throughout the day and automates the system, while reducing dependence on batteries and costly external components," he added.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

The self-regulating machine is not just a crucial step towards a whole series of more advanced technologies.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• automated
• electric
• electronic
• mechanical

---