regulate

[ reg-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, reg·u·lat·ed, reg·u·lat·ing.

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈregulative, adjective
• ˈregulatively, adverb

Other Words From

• reg·u·la·to·ry [reg, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee], reg·u·la·tive [reg, -y, uh, -ley-tiv, -y, uh, -l, uh, -tiv], adjective
• reg·u·la·tive·ly adverb
• mis·reg·u·late verb (used with object) misregulated misregulating
• non·reg·u·lat·ed adjective
• non·reg·u·la·tive adjective
• o·ver·reg·u·late verb overregulated overregulating
• pre·reg·u·late verb (used with object) preregulated preregulating
• qua·si-reg·u·lat·ed adjective
• re·reg·u·late verb (used with object) reregulated reregulating
• un·reg·u·lat·ed adjective
• un·reg·u·la·tive adjective
• well-reg·u·lat·ed 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

A childhood filled with hardship, negligence or abuse can skew the system that regulates how the body responds to stress.

From Science News For Students

That helps older teens regulate their emotions more like an adult.

From Science News For Students

Brockovich outlines how, according to the EPA, Tyson was the second-biggest waterway polluter in the country from 2010 to 2014, just ahead of the Department of Defense, and many of the pollutants it releases aren’t regulated or measured.

From Outside Online

In recent decades, anthropologists and psychologists have tested the idea that rituals regulate emotions.

From Science News

Back in 2016, the Lagos state government first attempted to regulate ride-hailing startups by requiring taxi companies register each operator with the state at the cost of $320 per car.

From Quartz

A few weeks ago, Reid called a vote on a Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to regulate money in politics.

From The Daily Beast

The two talked about reproductive freedom (with a dig at recent efforts in Texas to highly regulate abortion clinics).

From The Daily Beast

Second, the Nobel Prize for economics went to Jean Tirole, who studies how to regulate politically powerful companies.

From The Daily Beast

Laws vary from state to state, and banks are essentially left to self-regulate.

From The Daily Beast

Do you favor giving the state legislature the constitutional authority to regulate abortions, or do you oppose this?

From The Daily Beast

In his youngest days, when his mother used to regulate his food, she would stuff him full of rice.

From Project Gutenberg

As the business may be prohibited, a municipality or other power may regulate and control his business.

From Project Gutenberg

Place the sticks on tiers about ten inches apart, and regulate the plants on the sticks.

From Project Gutenberg

The statutes in some states regulate his duty in this regard; it is one that he cannot safely omit.

From Project Gutenberg

However arbitrary, there are certain policies that regulate all well organized institutions and corporate bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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