self-regulate

verb

self-reg·​u·​late ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 

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 

also -ˈrā-

adjective

self-regulative processes

Examples of self-regulate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tim Marple, who worked on OpenAI's investigations team in 2024, said incidents like Tumbler Ridge expose the risks of letting AI companies self-regulate, rather than requiring them to report violent threats on their platforms. — Shannon Bond, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Solius’s counter is that cutaneous production is self-regulating, avoids gastrointestinal absorption issues, and restores a biological process modern indoor life has largely eliminated. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Lower after-school expectations Be thoughtful about overscheduling children with after-school chores as well as extracurricular activities since this is the point in the day where their ability to self-regulate is maxed out. — Liz Regalia, Parents, 2 Aug. 2026

Congress and the Supreme Court have repeatedly been forced to intervene because the NCAA has failed to self-regulate. — Katie Uhlaender Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-regulate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate