rein
noun
Often a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.
had been reining
-
past perfect progressiveof rein.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Villages and towns that had been reining in the outbreak suddenly lost essential services.
From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025
This sensation afflicted me, for I had been reining in my enthusiasm for two days, as rather premature, and keeping myself in reserve for this ultimate display.
From Sunny Memories of Foreign Lands, Volume 2 by Harriet Beecher Stowe
