Synonyms

regulate

American

[reg-yuh-layt] / ˈrɛg jəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc..

The statute is intended to regulate the business practices of architects by establishing a code of professional conduct.

Synonyms:

dispose, arrange, adjust, order, conduct, manage, govern, rule
to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc..

A film was applied to the windows to help regulate the temperature and reduce glare.

Synonyms:

set
to adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation.

If the watch is consistently off, it can be fixed relatively simply by regulating the beat rate.
to put or keep something in good order or within reasonable limits.

Playful interactions with adult caregivers help children develop the ability to regulate their emotions and behavior.

Synonyms:

balance
Biology. to adjust or adapt (a bodily process or function) in response to external stimuli.
Genetics. to control the expression of (a gene or genes).

regulate British

/ ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt /

verb

to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control
to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly
to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of regulate

First recorded in 1620–30, from Late Latin rēgulātus (past participle of rēgulāre “to direct”); see regula, -ate ¹

Explanation

The on-off spigot regulates the flow of water into your bathtub. When a government regulates an industry, they set standards the industry must follow. To regulate means to impose control. Regulate shares a root with the word, regular. When the transit authority regulates a train schedule, it makes sure trains arrive on a more regular schedule. The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated –– before a drug can be marketed, it must be tested. On a more personal level, if you want to regulate your digestive system, try eating more fiber... or prunes!

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Vocabulary lists containing regulate

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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.

See Examples For:

regulate regulates regulated regulating

HSP70 helps cells respond to stress and supports tissue repair, while midkine helps regulate inflammation and protect joint tissue from degeneration.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

The city council is considering a series of measures designed to regulate the three-wheeled vehicles, often adorned in neon lights and blasting music as they shuttle visitors around Manhattan.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

But we can use the physical bottleneck of energy to impose a clear and simple restraint on an industry that has otherwise proved elusive to regulate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Shanmugam characterized Boulder’s case as “unprecedented,” and argued that the Constitution does not permit individual localities to “use state law to regulate global conduct.”

From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026

This was probably why people were able to empty porta potties or regulate the quality of canned cat food in factories with actual taste tests.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

This debate turns on several questions, including what constitutes a disability under ADA, what responsibilities businesses should shoulder and how the U.S. regulates fragrances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

Botswana also tightly regulates game meat, and its legal possession generally depends on proving it came from a lawful hunt.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

It previously said it strictly regulates the export of “dual use” components, which can serve both civilian and military purposes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Department of Transportation attaching itself to a series paid for by companies it regulates, including United Airlines, Chase Travel, Toyota, Boeing and Royal Caribbean.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

Hie part of my brain that regulates time definitely hasn’t adjusted to being back yet, but neither has the rest of me.

From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan

“That lack of understanding of risk allows them to leave the safety of the regulated system without knowing what is lost when they do so,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

"The children have come in so ready to learn, because they're more settled and regulated socially and emotionally. We've had a really, really positive start to the school year."

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

SEOUL—China will find a way to allow more cryptocurrency activity, after clamping down almost a decade ago, but it is likely to be closely regulated, says Solana Co.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Emissions aren’t directly regulated yet for the sector, which contributes about 26% of the state’s methane pollution.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Even the gas supplies for heat and cooking are regulated by electricity, said Major McEvoy, and how do you think you pump water out of a well?

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

The director would be able to manage public works projects, including construction, buying or leasing property, exercising eminent domain with City Council approval, granting street permits, regulating parking and recommending budgets for the department.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

Leo also aimed to find common cause with Macron, a defender of multilateral cooperation who is pushing world leaders to come up with a framework for regulating artificial intelligence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

"They govern the evolution of their host galaxies by heating and essentially regulating the gas that's then available to cool and form into new stars."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026

Can the two sides collaborate on regulating AI?

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

A student needed to ask permission before regulating the temperature or noise level, but I could do so whenever I liked.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023