self-regulation

American  

[self-reg-yuh-ley-shuhn, self-] / ˌsɛlfˌrɛg jəˈleɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

1. control by oneself or itself, as in an economy, business organization, etc., especially such control as exercised independently of governmental supervision, laws, or the like.

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Etymology

Origin of self-regulation

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-regulation

Following the Keogh Review, the government introduced a system of voluntary self-regulation.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

The rise of gentle parenting added emotional complexity to this labor, turning every toddler tantrum into an opportunity for a measured lesson in self-regulation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Neither self-regulation by the profession nor government-sponsored boards have ensured the clarity and reliability of financial reporting.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2025

Bogotá’s unorthodox mayor, Antanas Mockus—who rose to fame after mooning student protesters and deployed mimes to control traffic—viewed the activity as a gambit “to achieve self-regulation in the behavior among citizens.”

From Slate ● Dec. 22, 2024

The principle of self-guidance is not restricted to living creatures, nor is self-regulation limited to mental power.

From The Scientific Basis of National Progress Including that of Morality by Gore, George