regulate

verb

reg·​u·​late ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 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 How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
adjective
regulatory
ˈre-gyə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce regulate (audio)
 also  ˈrā-
adjective

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 It has been finely regulated by Hanhart to ensure a precision rate of 0 to +8 seconds per day across all positions. Matthew Catellier, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Disclosure is important, Kushner said, but the federal government leaves it to the states to regulate the terms and conditions that lenders offer. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 Algorithmic harms With artificial intelligence now widespread, governments worldwide are grappling with how to regulate various aspects of the technology. Anjana Susarla, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024 Carnosine is a dipeptide that regulates the pH of muscles, helping to limit muscle fatigue and improve exercise performance.2 Research on beta-alanine's effects on muscle growth and exercise performance offers inconsistent results. Mary Choy, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for regulate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word '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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of regulate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near regulate

Cite this Entry

“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

regulate

verb
reg·​u·​late ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce regulate (audio)
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 How to pronounce regulate (audio)
-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 How to pronounce regulate (audio)
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 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

More from Merriam-Webster on regulate

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