regulation

1 a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity <it's against community regulations to leave your trash on the curb for more than two days> Synonyms bylaw, ground rule, reg, ruleRelated Words code, constitution, decalogue, directory; act, law, ordinance, statute; behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order; axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept; moral, principle, value; ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction; convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice (also practise), tradition, way; blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard

2 the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something <the owner seldom visited the plant and did not take an active part in the regulation of the company> Synonyms administration, care, charge, control, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, conduct, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervisionRelated Words generalship, leadership, rulership; agency; aegis (also egis), custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward; engineering, logistics, machination, manipulation; coadministration, codirection, comanagement

3 the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control <the regulation of the soccer team was left entirely to the head coach and her assistants> Synonyms care, charge, guidance, headship, oversight, supervision, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, surveillanceRelated Words monitoring, observance, observation, observing, policing; administration, control, direction, generalship, hand(s), management, running; leadership, piloting, shepherding, steering; government, reign, rule; aegis (also egis), auspices, guardianship, protection, trusteeship, tutelage