regulate

verb

Save Word

reg·u·late | \ ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt

also ˈrā- \

regulated; regulating

Definition of regulate

transitive verb

1a : to govern or direct according to rule

b(1) : to bring under the control of law or constituted authority

(2) : to make regulations for or concerning regulate the industries of a country

2 : to bring order, method, or uniformity to regulate one's habits

3 : to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of regulate the pressure of a tire

Other Words from regulate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing regulate Learn More About regulate

Other Words from regulate

regulative \ ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tiv

also ˈrā- \ adjective

regulatory \ ˈre-gyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē

also ˈrā- \ adjective

Examples of regulate in a Sentence

The dam regulates the flow of water into the river. We need better laws to regulate the content of the Internet. Laws have been made to regulate working conditions. The government regulates how much lead may be found in our water supply. The department regulates foreign trade.

Recent Examples on the Web Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not regulate or negotiate prescription drug prices set by drug companies and manufacturers. — Alena Botros, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2022 The state’s Gaming Commission will regulate the industry and is allowed to license up to seven companies that do not already have a casino presence in Massachusetts. — Will Yakowicz, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 Surovell hopes more rules will be passed to regulate the technology in other states, similar to how law enforcement use of technologies such as radar, breath testing, and substance analysis are already regulated. — Rachel Metz, CNN, 5 Aug. 2022 The town currently does not regulate short-term housing within its zoning code. — al, 4 Aug. 2022 Winners in all four towns will be responsible for community challenges such as how to regulate short-term rentals, manage growth and ensure adequate water supplies. — Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2022 These laws attempt to regulate nearly every moment of a young person’s life, reaching the hand of government into exam rooms, living rooms, locker rooms, and — the place where young people spend the majority of their waking hours — classrooms. — Sam Ames, refinery29.com, 29 July 2022 The system allows municipalities to regulate e-bikes further, based on the classes. — Taylor Dolven, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2022 Although most of these trigger laws apply specifically to pregnancy, and so do not regulate embryos outside of the human body, the idea that life begins at the very moment of fertilization could be used to target embryonic research, says Cohen. — Wired, 21 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.