regulate
verb
reg·u·late
ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 
also ˈrā-
regulated; regulating
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
Synonyms
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
The issue of whether and how the FCC should regulate internet providers’ carriage of different sites, services, and apps did not come up in the 2024 campaign, but Republicans have consistently opposed net-neutrality regulations.
—
Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
These naturally occurring hormones play crucial roles in regulating insulin, appetite and metabolism.
—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
The top vote-getter will lead the town on key issues ranging from regulating unruly short-term rentals to preserving quality of life over the next four years.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
This is the primary metabolite of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep patterns.10
Research suggests that physically active people should consume caffeine 60 minutes before exercise because blood levels of caffeine reach their maximum value 60 minutes after ingestion.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for regulate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
These naturally occurring hormones play crucial roles in regulating insulin, appetite and metabolism.
—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
The top vote-getter will lead the town on key issues ranging from regulating unruly short-term rentals to preserving quality of life over the next four years.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
This is the primary metabolite of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep patterns.10
Research suggests that physically active people should consume caffeine 60 minutes before exercise because blood levels of caffeine reach their maximum value 60 minutes after ingestion.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for regulate
Dictionary Entries Near regulate
Cite this Entry
“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
regulate
verb
reg·u·late
ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt
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
noun
-ˌlāt-ər
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share