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 Alliances and organizations are emerging to help companies self-regulate. Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 Often, she’s found that her clients share these posts out of impulse or to self-regulate, but doing so can result in even more shame or regret after the fact. Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024 In addition, Bilirakis’ draft calls for the creation of an independent, non-governmental, self-regulating organization that would oversee NIL activities. Steve Berkowitz, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 Those concerns reflected those of Father Benanti, who does not believe in the industry’s ability to self-regulate and thinks some rules of the road are required in a world where deep fakes and disinformation can erode democracy. Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Advocates say that tech platforms can no longer be left to self-regulate. David Goldman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2024 Some stores self-regulate and hold themselves to a higher standard, Moody said. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Jan. 2024 Real people are living a vision of the economy as a place of moral action and accountability, rather than a value-free, self-regulating zone of unalterable laws. Nick Romeo, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2024 The researchers say the findings show a need for government regulation of social media since the companies that stand to make money from children who use their platforms have failed to meaningfully self-regulate. Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 27 Dec. 2023

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

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 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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