regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 

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 

also ˈrā-

adjective

regulatory

ˈre-gyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

also ˈrā-

adjective

Synonyms of regulate

• control
• contain
• curb
• restrain
• keep
• measure
• govern
• suppress
• stifle

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

The commission, formed earlier in 2026 after several council members called for a local moratorium, has spent roughly two months working on a 150-page report outlining recommendations for how the city could regulate data centers. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2026

Financiera Ueno subsequently became Ueno Bank, placing one of its former executives at the head of the institution responsible for regulating it. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

However, the Memphis City Council has continued discussing how data centers should be regulated, including community concerns and potential zoning standards. — Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

The Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department deploys inspectors to regulate street vending across Chicago. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing regulate

• re-regulate
• self-regulate

Rhymes for regulate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt 

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 

-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 

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

-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

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