rein

1 of 2

noun

1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
usually used in plural
2
a
: a restraining influence : check
kept a tight rein on the proceedings
b
: controlling or guiding power
usually used in plural
the reins of government
3
: opportunity for unhampered activity or use
gave full rein to her imagination

Illustration of rein

Illustration of rein
  • R rein 1

rein

2 of 2

verb

reined; reining; reins

transitive verb

1
: to control or direct with or as if with reins
2
: to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins
reined in her horse
couldn't rein his impatience

intransitive verb

1
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
2
archaic : to submit to the use of reins

Examples of rein in a Sentence

Noun He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process. after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
So Putin’s invasion of Ukraine may have any number of ambitions: to set an example, say, or to keep a tight rein on non-Russian independence movements along the Volga and in the North Caucasus. Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024 Clark was handed the reins to the Iowa offense almost immediately, averaging almost 27 points as a freshman. Eric Levenson, CNN, 3 Mar. 2024 Howard Schultz, the founder of the modern Starbucks chain and three-time holder of the CEO title, handed the reins to Laxman Narasimhan in March. Daniela Sirtori-Cortina, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 The plan all along was for VanVleet to serve as a bridge to the future until Thompson was ready to take over the reins. Rahat Huq, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 With Bautista sidelined, the Orioles have handed the closer reins to Kimbrel. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 After taking back the reins of the state duals tournament in 2022, the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association will again host the boys and girls tournaments with the 2024 editions taking place in February. Alex Harrison, The Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2024 Whether the pending lawsuits can put reins on AI remains to be seen. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2024 A little loosening of the reins on enormous waitlists would easily cover any downward turn. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 20 Feb. 2024
Verb
While the ideal reading is less than 120/80 mmHg (the top number is your systolic pressure and the bottom number is your diastolic pressure), BP that lingers above 140/90 mmHg typically requires both medication and lifestyle changes to rein it in, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Lauren Del Turco, SELF, 22 Feb. 2024 In that case, the American partner in the couple needs to develop a backbone and show some really tough love to rein Israel in. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024 Delivery issues Pot deliveries are thriving across California, despite efforts to rein them in. Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 Trump bristles at restrictions as judges try to rein him in In a federal defamation trial in New York, when potential jurors in a civil case were asked whether they felt mistreated by the court system, Trump mischievously raised his hand at the defense table to laughter in the gallery. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 If Trump is elected, takes office (which Democrats will fight unless the Supreme Court conclusively torpedoes their 14th Amendment disqualification claim), and abuses his power, he can be impeached and Congress can take other steps to rein him in. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024 Now the dynamic is strikingly different—the tech companies are the Goliaths of business, with artists, musicians, and writers attempting to rein them in. Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2023 Supervisors consider how to rein it in Jan. 7, 2024 Multiple times that morning Vargas had stopped the meeting amid shouts from the audience to remind people not to cause disruptions. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2024 The court’s six conservatives already have reined them in, including in May’s decision sharply limiting their ability to police water pollution in wetlands. Mark Sherman, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rein.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English reine, from Anglo-French resne, reine, from Vulgar Latin *retina, from Latin retinēre to restrain — more at retain

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rein was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near rein

Cite this Entry

“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rein. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rein

1 of 2 noun
1
: a line or strap fastened to a bit on each side for controlling an animal (as a horse)
usually used in plural
2
a
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
kept the child under a tight rein
b
: controlling or guiding power
usually used in plural
seized the reins of government
3
: complete freedom : scope
gave full rein to her imagination

rein

2 of 2 verb
: to check, control, or stop by or as if by reins
reined in the horse
couldn't rein his impatience

More from Merriam-Webster on rein

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