First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
regulate
verb reg·u·late \ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt also ˈrā-\
: to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something)
: to bring (something) under the control of authority
: to make rules or laws that control (something)
reg·u·lat·edreg·u·lat·ing
Full Definition of REGULATE
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>
— reg·u·la·tive \-ˌlā-tiv\ adjective
— reg·u·la·to·ry \-lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
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Origin of REGULATE
Middle English, from Late Latin regulatus, past participle of regulare, from Latin regula rule
Related to REGULATE
Other Government and Politics Terms
Rhymes with REGULATE
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REGULATES Defined for Kids
regulate
verb reg·u·late \ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt\
reg·u·lat·edreg·u·lat·ing
Definition of REGULATE for Kids
1
: to bring under the control of authority : make rules concerning <Laws regulate water quality.>
2
: to control the time, amount, degree, or rate of <The dam regulates water flow.>
3
: to bring order or method to <The program is regulated well.>
— reg·u·la·tor \-ˌlā-tər\ noun
Medical Dictionary
regulate
transitive verb reg·u·late \ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt\
reg·u·lat·edreg·u·lat·ing
Medical Definition of REGULATE
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
—reg·u·la·to·ry \-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-\ adjective
Learn More About REGULATE
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