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Synonyms

regulation

American  
[reg-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌrɛg yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. a law, rule, or other order prescribed by authority, especially to regulate conduct.

    Safety regulations require the use of impact-resistant helmets.

  2. the act of regulating or the state of being regulated.

    Adolescence is a potentially important time in the development of emotion regulation.

    Synonyms:
    adjustment, disposition, dispensation, management, direction
  3. Sports. the normal, prescribed duration of a game according to the sport's regulations, exclusive of any extra innings, overtime period, etc..

    The Knicks tied the score in the final seconds of regulation, sending the game into overtime.

  4. Biology. the internal response that an organism undergoes to adapt to external stimuli (control ).

    Regulation of blood flow is an essential mechanism for delivering oxygen and glucose to the tissues that need it most.

  5. Genetics. the act or process of controlling the expression of genes.

    Scientists are hoping to discover whether viruses can be used to study gene regulation in mammalian cells.

  6. Embryology. the process by which an embryo can continue to develop normally after it has been damaged.

    Added cells become normally integrated into the body of the host embryo, which provides additional evidence of embryonic regulation.

  7. Electronics. the difference between maximum and minimum voltage drops between the anode and the cathode of a gas tube for a specified range of values of the anode current.

  8. Machinery. the percentage difference in some quantity related to the operation of an apparatus or machine, as the voltage output of a transformer or the speed of a motor, between the value of the quantity at no-load operation and its value at full-load operation.


adjective

  1. prescribed by or conforming to regulation.

    regulation army equipment.

  2. usual; normal; customary.

    the regulation decorations for a Halloween party.

  3. Sports. during the normal, prescribed duration of a game.

    Both teams are entitled to two timeouts in each half of regulation play.

regulation British  
/ ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of regulating

  2. a rule, principle, or condition that governs procedure or behaviour

  3. a governmental or ministerial order having the force of law

  4. embryol the ability of an animal embryo to develop normally after its structure has been altered or damaged in some way

  5. (modifier) as required by official rules or procedure

    regulation uniform

  6. (modifier) normal; usual; conforming to accepted standards

    a regulation haircut

  7. electrical engineering the change in voltage occurring when a load is connected across a power supply, caused by internal resistance (for direct current) or internal impedance (alternating current)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

regulation Cultural  
  1. Laws through which governments can control privately owned businesses.


Other Word Forms

  • nonregulation noun
  • overregulation noun
  • reregulation noun
  • superregulation noun

Etymology

Origin of regulation

First recorded in 1665–75; regulate + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"By specifically disrupting folding dynamics, we were able to identify the aspects of spatial genome organization that contribute to gene regulation and expression."

From Science Daily

Federal regulations bar airlines from retroactively charging customers a new or increased fuel surcharge once they have already paid for their flight.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Army is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the mission, Spokesman Maj Montrell Russell told the BBC in a statement, including whether the crews complied with federal flying regulations and aviation safety protocols.

From BBC

“Army aviators must adhere to strict safety standards, professionalism, and established flight regulations.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War remain unwavering in their commitment to the highest standards of ethics and strict adherence to all applicable laws and regulations,” he wrote.

From Salon