regulate
to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc.: The statute is intended to regulate the business practices of architects by establishing a code of professional conduct.
to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc.: A film was applied to the windows to help regulate the temperature and reduce glare.
to adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation: If the watch is consistently off, it can be fixed relatively simply by regulating the beat rate.
to put or keep something in good order or within reasonable limits: Playful interactions with adult caregivers help children develop the ability to regulate their emotions and behavior.
Biology. to adjust or adapt (a bodily process or function) in response to external stimuli.
Genetics. to control the expression of (a gene or genes).
Origin of regulate
1Other words for regulate
Other words from regulate
- reg·u·la·to·ry [reg-yuh-luh-tawr-ee], /ˈrɛg yə ləˌtɔr i/, reg·u·la·tive [reg-yuh-ley-tiv, -yuh-luh-tiv], /ˈrɛg yəˌleɪ tɪv, -yə lə tɪv/, adjective
- reg·u·la·tive·ly, adverb
- mis·reg·u·late, verb (used with object), mis·reg·u·lat·ed, mis·reg·u·lat·ing.
- non·reg·u·lat·ed, adjective
- non·reg·u·la·tive, adjective
- o·ver·reg·u·late, verb, o·ver·reg·u·lat·ed, o·ver·reg·u·lat·ing.
- pre·reg·u·late, verb (used with object), pre·reg·u·lat·ed, pre·reg·u·lat·ing.
- qua·si-reg·u·lat·ed, adjective
- re·reg·u·late, verb (used with object), re·reg·u·lat·ed, re·reg·u·lat·ing.
- un·reg·u·lat·ed, adjective
- un·reg·u·la·tive, adjective
- well-reg·u·lat·ed, adjective
Words Nearby regulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use regulate in a sentence
A few weeks ago, Reid called a vote on a Constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to regulate money in politics.
Time is Money: How to Fix Outrageous Political Spending | Jim Arkedis | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe two talked about reproductive freedom (with a dig at recent efforts in Texas to highly regulate abortion clinics).
Live from San Antonio: Women in the World Texas! | Women in the World | October 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSecond, the Nobel Prize for economics went to Jean Tirole, who studies how to regulate politically powerful companies.
The Supreme Court Is Weighing Corporate Power Yet Again | Zephyr Teachout | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLaws vary from state to state, and banks are essentially left to self-regulate.
Do you favor giving the state legislature the constitutional authority to regulate abortions, or do you oppose this?
Tennessee Voters Face a Loaded Abortion Question | Eleanor Clift | October 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In his youngest days, when his mother used to regulate his food, she would stuff him full of rice.
Our Little Korean Cousin | H. Lee M. PikeAs the business may be prohibited, a municipality or other power may regulate and control his business.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesPlace the sticks on tiers about ten inches apart, and regulate the plants on the sticks.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.The statutes in some states regulate his duty in this regard; it is one that he cannot safely omit.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesHowever arbitrary, there are certain policies that regulate all well organized institutions and corporate bodies.
British Dictionary definitions for regulate
/ (ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt) /
to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control
to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly
to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage
Origin of regulate
1Derived forms of regulate
- regulative or regulatory, adjective
- regulatively, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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