rein

1 usually reins pl  the place of leadership or command after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company Synonyms chair, driver's seat, headship, helm, head(s)Related Words chieftainship, commandership, directorship; forefront, lead, vanguard; captainship, chairmanship, deanship, dictatorship, generalship, governorship, kingship, mastership, mastery, premiership, presidency, presidentship, superintendency; dominance, dominion, jurisdiction, sovereignty (also sovranty), sway, upper hand; eminence, height, pedestal, pinnacle, seat, throne, topNear Antonyms ranks

2 the act or practice of keeping something (as an activity) within certain boundaries the oversight committee called on the state to keep a much tighter rein on the activities of its contractors Synonyms circumscription, confinement, limitation, restriction, stintRelated Words constraint, restraint; containment, isolation, segregation

3 usually reins pl  the right or means to command or control others a peaceful transfer of the reins of government has always been a hallmark of our nation Synonyms arm, authority, clutch, command, control, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, reign, power(s), swayRelated Words clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight; jurisdiction; direction, management; dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty (also sovranty), supremacy; prerogative, privilege, right; eminence, importance, momentNear Antonyms helplessness, weaknessAntonyms impotence, impotency, powerlessness