regulatory

American  

[reg-yuh-luh-tawr-ee] / ˈrɛg yə ləˌtɔr i /

Sometimes regulative

adjective

1. of or relating to the control or direction of an activity by a set of rules, laws, etc..

   The Coast Guard is to be commended for this current regulatory effort, as their proposed restriction addresses many concerns of the seafaring community.

2. of or relating to the adjustment of a device, system, or organic function so as to meet a standard or the requirements of good operation.

   Earth's climate is a highly complex system with its own regulatory mechanisms.

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Other Word Forms

• antiregulatory adjective
• nonregulatory adjective
• unregulatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of regulatory

regulat(e) ( def. ) + -ory ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Regulatory describes something that holds you to the rules. Detention is regulatory, as are other kinds of punishments. When your mom tells you not to run in the house, she’s being regulatory. You’ll notice most of the word regulate is in regulatory. That’s because when something is regulatory, it’s regulated. You also might be reminded of the word regular. Things that are regulatory, like being forced to stay in for recess, are intended to keep things regular — no breaking rules, no breaking laws, no breaking at all. Things that are regulatory are meant to keep you from falling out of line.

Example Sentences

The spokesperson continued, underscoring that food safety “is the number one priority for U.S. confectionery companies,” and that the “FDA is the rightful national regulatory decision maker and leader in food safety.”

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

A 2021 plan Ackman pitched to carve it out from French media conglomerate Vivendi faced regulatory scrutiny, leading him to take a 10% stake in the business instead ahead of a spinout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In a letter addressed to Kari Jeschke, Replimune’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs, the FDA echoed concerns from a previous communication with the biotechnology company, largely pertaining to the study design.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The council's director of highways and regulatory services, Andrew Burton, said the recent closure was necessary "so we could monitor the bridge and ensure the extra movement we were seeing didn't put people at risk".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Perhaps no aspect of the HUD regulatory regime has been as controversial, however, as the “no-fault” clause contained in every public housing lease.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• administrative
• managerial