regulatory
Americanadjective
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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.
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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
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 Postal Service raised prices several times at rates above inflation—which reduced mail volume and revenue, according to the Postal Regulatory Commission.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
One former member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, appointed during the Carter administration, told MarketWatch that he can’t think of an instance in decades with this type of potential for conflicts of interest.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the Principal Design Criteria for Oklo’s Aurora powerhouse, with commercial operations targeted by 2028.
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
Regulatory requirements and the complexity of launching clinical trials have also delayed progress.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026
Officials at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the United States had the same thought.
From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland
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.
