WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
reg•u•late /ˈrɛgyəˌleɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
reg•u•la•tor, n. [countable]See -reg-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to control or direct by a rule, principle, or method:Laws exist to regulate traffic on the highways.
- to adjust to some standard or requirement:to regulate the temperature.
- to adjust so as to be accurate or correct:to regulate a watch.
- to put in good order:to regulate one's diet.
reg•u•la•tor, n. [countable]See -reg-.
reg•u•late
(reg′yə lāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing.
reg•u•la•tive
(reg′yə lā′tiv, -yə lə tiv),USA pronunciation reg•u•la•to•ry
(reg′yə lə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē),USA pronunciation adj.
reg′u•la′tive•ly, adv.
- to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc.:to regulate household expenses.
- to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc.:to regulate the temperature.
- to adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation:to regulate a watch.
- to put in good order:to regulate the digestion.
- Late Latin rēgulātus (past participle of rēgulāre). See regula, -ate1
- 1620–30;
- 1. rule, govern, manage, order, adjust, arrange, dispose, conduct. 2. set. 4. systematize.
'regulative' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):