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
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
Power like that is regulated and permitted, which means the buildout also depends on Washington.
—
Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
In addition to promoting feelings of fullness, regulating bowels, and assisting in blood sugar control, fiber helps to lower cholesterol.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025
The movement features the brand’s signature wandering hours display with 3-D retrograde minutes, as well as a dual turbine system that regulates—or can even deactivate—automatic winding.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
Here, Colorado has said that states have long had the power to regulate healthcare, that that's different from infringing on free speech, and that healthcare provision comes with standards based on evidence.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
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.
Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 1 Jan. 2026
In addition to promoting feelings of fullness, regulating bowels, and assisting in blood sugar control, fiber helps to lower cholesterol.
—Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 31 Dec. 2025
The movement features the brand’s signature wandering hours display with 3-D retrograde minutes, as well as a dual turbine system that regulates—or can even deactivate—automatic winding.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
Here, Colorado has said that states have long had the power to regulate healthcare, that that's different from infringing on free speech, and that healthcare provision comes with standards based on evidence.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regulate
Cite this Entry
“Regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
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