self-regulate

verb

self-reg·​u·​late ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce self-regulate (audio)
 also  -ˈrā-
self-regulated; self-regulating; self-regulates
1
intransitive : to regulate oneself or itself
allowing markets to self-regulate
… noted the overwhelming lack of public trust in the financial services industry's ability to self-regulate effectively …Sally Rose
The idea is that the kids learn how to manage and self-regulate.Cheyenne Derksen Schroeder
2
transitive : to control or govern (something) for or by oneself
… was hired by the motion picture industry to head up a new body to self-regulate the movies.Katharine Monk
the ability of the child to self-regulate her behavior
… a horse who is permitted to self-regulate his intake will eat only what his body needs.Juliet M. Getty
self-regulative
ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tiv How to pronounce self-regulate (audio)
 also  -ˈrā-
adjective
self-regulative processes

Examples of self-regulate in a Sentence

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.
Your body can self-regulate its temperature better while naked, supporting the optimal sleeping temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33 degrees Celsius). Cristina Mutchler, Health, 2 Dec. 2024 The homeostatic process is a self-regulating mechanism that our bodies use to maintain stability, such as building up sleep pressure. Gina Park, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024 The comments were another powerful reminder that tech companies cannot be trusted to self-regulate. Daniel Colson, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 The assumption that a company can self-regulate is alarming, according to Dominic Sisti, an associate professor at University of Pennsylvania who researches ethics in the psychedelics industry. Michelle Lhooq, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-regulate 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-regulate was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near self-regulate

Cite this Entry

“Self-regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-regulate. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!