regulate
//ˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.leɪt//
Forms
- present (v1)
- regulate
- past (v2)
- regulated
- past participle (v3)
- regulated
- present participle
- regulating
- 3rd person singular
- regulates
Definitions
1.To dictate policy.
2.To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
- The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own disputes, and regulated their own police.
3.To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.
4.To put or maintain in order.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #3425
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin regulatus, perfect passive participle of regulō (“to direct, rule, regulate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from regula (“rule”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”).
Compare regle, rail.
Displaced native Old English metegian.