regulatory
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the control or direction of an activity by a set of rules, laws, etc..
The Coast Guard is to be commended for this current regulatory effort, as their proposed restriction addresses many concerns of the seafaring community.
-
of or relating to the adjustment of a device, system, or organic function so as to meet a standard or the requirements of good operation.
Earth's climate is a highly complex system with its own regulatory mechanisms.
Other Word Forms
- antiregulatory adjective
- nonregulatory adjective
- unregulatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of regulatory
Explanation
Regulatory describes something that holds you to the rules. Detention is regulatory, as are other kinds of punishments. When your mom tells you not to run in the house, she’s being regulatory. You’ll notice most of the word regulate is in regulatory. That’s because when something is regulatory, it’s regulated. You also might be reminded of the word regular. Things that are regulatory, like being forced to stay in for recess, are intended to keep things regular — no breaking rules, no breaking laws, no breaking at all. Things that are regulatory are meant to keep you from falling out of line.
Vocabulary lists containing regulatory
Top Ten Most Relevant Words from Republican Presidential Candidates' Debate - Nov. 10, 2015
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The Executive Branch at Work, Sections 1–3
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Vocabulary from the Ninth Republican Debate, February 13, 2016
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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.
The e-bike craze, which is putting many people, including kids, in the hospital at an alarming rate, has thus far defied similar regulatory frameworks.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
"By fast-tracking approvals and clearing away regulatory hurdles, we can lower construction costs and build the diverse housing our workforce needs to thrive," she wrote.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
But, given the volatile markets and a looser regulatory environment — which are good for Goldman — investors appeared to be expecting more.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
In a letter addressed to Kari Jeschke, Replimune’s senior vice president of regulatory affairs, the FDA echoed concerns from a previous communication with the biotechnology company, largely pertaining to the study design.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
He went looking for court rulings, deal completions, or government regulatory changes—anything that might change the value of a company.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
