regulate

American  

[reg-yuh-leyt] / ˈrɛg yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

regulated, regulating

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.

   Synonyms:

   dispose, arrange, adjust, order, conduct, manage, govern, rule

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.

   Synonyms:

   set

3. 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.

4. 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.

   Synonyms:

   balance

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

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

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regulate British  

/ ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt /

verb

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

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

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Other Word Forms

• misregulate verb (used with object)
• nonregulated adjective
• nonregulative adjective
• overregulate verb
• preregulate verb (used with object)
• quasi-regulated adjective
• regulative adjective
• regulatively adverb
• regulatory adjective
• reregulate verb (used with object)
• unregulated adjective
• unregulative adjective
• well-regulated adjective

Etymology

Origin of regulate

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

Explanation

The on-off spigot regulates the flow of water into your bathtub. When a government regulates an industry, they set standards the industry must follow. To regulate means to impose control. Regulate shares a root with the word, regular. When the transit authority regulates a train schedule, it makes sure trains arrive on a more regular schedule. The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated –– before a drug can be marketed, it must be tested. On a more personal level, if you want to regulate your digestive system, try eating more fiber... or prunes!

Example Sentences

Americans expect A.I. to cause job losses and have been slower to adopt it than their peers in most other countries, while also not trusting their own government to regulate it.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2026

The English Devolution Bill, which is currently going through parliament, will give Transport for London the powers to regulate and license dockless e-bikes.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The locus coeruleus, found in the brainstem, helps regulate this process through long nerve fibers that extend to the olfactory bulb.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

She adds that targeting dyes is a “good first step,” but they’re certainly not the only problematic additive the FDA should strictly regulate.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

It was hard to keep secrets; you had to keep track of them, regulate how they moved through your body, make sure they didn’t swerve and jump out of your mouth.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi

Related Words

• adjust
• administer
• balance
• classify
• conduct
• control
• coordinate
• determine
• govern
• handle
• improve
• monitor
• oversee
• readjust
• rectify
• standardize
• supervise