Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

regulation

[reg-yuh-ley-shuhn]
noun
  1. a law, rule, or other order prescribed by authority, especially to regulate conduct.
  2. the act of regulating or the state of being regulated.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
Show More
adjective
  1. prescribed by or conforming to regulation: regulation army equipment.
  2. usual; normal; customary: the regulation decorations for a Halloween party.
Show More

Origin of regulation

First recorded in 1665–75; regulate + -ion
Related formsnon·reg·u·la·tion, nouno·ver·reg·u·la·tion, nounre·reg·u·la·tion, nounsu·per·reg·u·la·tion, noun

Synonyms for regulation

2. direction, management, control, disposition, adjustment.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for over-regulation

Historical Examples of over-regulation

  • The over-regulation money, with a little stretching, covered my debts.

    Bluebell

    Mrs. George Croft Huddleston

  • It would be merely multiplying the evil of over-regulation from which our roads already are suffering.

    Our Railroads To-Morrow

    Edward Hungerford

  • In either case he loses the value of his over-regulation investment.

British Dictionary definitions for over-regulation

regulation

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 procedureregulation uniform
  6. (modifier) normal; usual; conforming to accepted standardsa 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)
Show More
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

Word Origin and History for over-regulation

regulation

n.

1670s, "act of regulating; state of being reduced to order," noun of action from regulate. Meaning "rule for management" is from 1715. Related: Regulations.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
over-regulation in Medicine

regulation

(rĕg′yə-lā′shən)
n.
  1. The act of regulating or the state of being regulated.
  2. A principle, rule, or law designed to control or govern conduct.
  3. A governmental order having the force of law.
  4. The capacity of an embryo to continue normal development following injury to or alteration of a structure.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
over-regulation in Culture

regulation

Laws through which governments can control privately owned businesses.

Show More
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.