regulate

[ reg-yuh-leyt ]
See synonyms for: regulateregulatedregulatesregulating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),reg·u·lat·ed, reg·u·lat·ing.
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Biology. to adjust or adapt (a bodily process or function) in response to external stimuli.

  4. Genetics. to control the expression of (a gene or genes).

Origin of regulate

1
First recorded in 1620–30, from Late Latin rēgulātus (past participle of rēgulāre “to direct”); see regula, -ate1

Other 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

British Dictionary definitions for regulate

regulate

/ (ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control

  2. to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly

  1. to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage

Origin of regulate

1
C17: from Late Latin rēgulāre to control, from Latin rēgula a ruler

Derived 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