rein

[ reyn ]

noun

1. Often a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.
2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.
3. any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4. reins, the controlling or directing power:

   the reins of government.

verb (used with object)

1. to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.
2. to curb; restrain; control.

   Synonyms: limit, bridle, check

verb (used without object)

1. to obey the reins:

   a horse that reins well.

2. to rein a horse or other animal.

rein

/ reɪn /

noun

1. often plural one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer
2. a similar device used to control a very young child
3. any form or means of control

   to take up the reins of government

4. the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left ( or right ) rein , change the rein )
5. something that restrains, controls, or guides
6. give free rein or give a free rein
   to allow considerable freedom; remove restraints
7. keep a tight rein on
   to control carefully; limit

   we have to keep a tight rein on expenditure

8. on a long rein
   with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained
9. shorten the reins
   to take up the reins so that the distance between hand and bit is lessened, in order that the horse may be more collected

verb

1. tr to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins
2. to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins

   they reined left

Usage

See reign

Other Words From

• reinless adjective
• un·reined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rein¹

1300–50; (noun) Middle English rene, reine, raine < Old French re ( s ) ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, noun derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) Middle English rainen, reinen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rein¹

C13: from Old French resne , from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold; see restrain

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. draw rein, to curtail one's speed or progress; halt:

   The rider saw the snake and drew rein sharply.

2. give rein to, to give complete freedom to; indulge freely: Also give free rein to, give full rein to.

   to give rein to one's imagination.

More idioms and phrases containing rein

see draw in the reins ; free hand (rein) tight rein on .

Example Sentences

Unlike President Biden, whose administration has sought to rein in cryptocurrency, Trump has done an about-face from earlier skepticism to embrace them, having even promoted a crypto-based business in September, World Liberty Financial.

From Los Angeles Times

World leaders are set to arrive at a big annual UN climate meeting hoping to rein in rising global temperatures, which are making deadly events like the recent floods in Spain far worse.

From BBC

The former Trump staffer moaned that he was being “targeted” when Philip asked him to rein in the misgendering before continuing his point.

From Salon

But he reined in some of those proposed cuts after a congressional budget deal increased higher education funding.

From Los Angeles Times

He has promised to abandon U.S. allies, including Ukraine, and give Israel free rein to, as he told Benjamin Netanyahu last month, “do what you have to do.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• curb