regulate

[reg-yuh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

regulated, regulating 

1. 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

2. 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, set

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Biology.,  to adjust or adapt (a bodily process or function) in response to external stimuli.

6. Genetics.,  to control the expression of (a gene or genes).

regulate

/ ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control

2. to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly

3. to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage

Other Word Forms

• regulatory adjective
• regulative adjective
• regulatively adverb
• misregulate verb (used with object)
• nonregulated adjective
• nonregulative adjective
• overregulate verb
• preregulate verb (used with object)
• quasi-regulated adjective
• reregulate verb (used with object)
• unregulated adjective
• unregulative adjective
• well-regulated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regulate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of regulate¹

C17: from Late Latin rēgulāre to control, from Latin rēgula a ruler

Example Sentences

US Vice President JD Vance said earlier this year that the White House was growing tired of other countries trying to regulate American tech businesses.

Read more on BBC

Mikos added that, for the states, the question then becomes “How are we going to regulate this?”

Read more on Salon

A spokesperson for Heathrow welcomed the decision but said it needed "clarity as to how the crucial next phase of the project will be regulated".

Read more on BBC

Many also hope to regulate and manage the data used and generated by AI on their own terms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company said it had strengthened its parental controls, while California has enacted legislation regulating chatbots.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• adjust 
• administer 
• balance 
• classify 
• conduct 
• control 
• coordinate 
• determine 
• govern 
• handle 
• improve 
• monitor 
• oversee 
• readjust 
• rectify 
• standardize 
• supervise