regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
regulated; regulating

transitive verb

1
a
: 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
regulative
ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tiv How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
adjective
regulatory
ˈre-gyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These entities have proliferated ever since the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, which effectively struck down longtime campaign finance regulations that sought to limit and regulate spending on political campaigns. M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 21 July 2025 Help available for crashing out, including interventions such as therapy, as well as learning how to regulate emotions better and practicing self-care during times of significant stress. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 July 2025 In every case, the central question judges have had to decide is whether local or state governments can be allowed to essentially regulate air emissions, which have always been regulated at the national level for compelling reasons. David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025 Some people may become less empathetic, while others may have a hard time regulating their emotions. Janelle McSwiggin, Health, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for regulate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare, from Latin regula rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of regulate was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

regulate

verb
reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
regulated; regulating
1
a
: to govern or direct according to rule
b
: to bring under the control of authority
regulate prices
2
: to bring order or method to
regulate one's habits
3
: to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
regulate the pressure of a tire
the brain regulates the heartbeat
regulator
-ˌlāt-ər
noun
regulatory
-lə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce regulate (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
adjective
Etymology

from Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare "to regulate, direct," from regula "a rule, straightedge" — related to rail entry 1, regent, rule

Medical Definition

regulate

transitive verb
reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
regulated; regulating
1
: to control or direct according to rule or law
regulate the testing of experimental drugs
2
: to fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
regulatory adjective

Legal Definition

regulate

transitive verb
reg·​u·​late
regulated; regulating
1
: to govern or direct according to rule
2
a
: to bring under the control of law
b
: to make regulations for or concerning

More from Merriam-Webster on regulate

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