Illustration of rein
- R rein 1
1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
—usually used in plural
2
a
: a restraining influence : check
kept a tight rein on the proceedings
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
the reins of government
3
: opportunity for unhampered activity or use
gave full rein to her imagination
reined; reining; reins
1
: to control or direct with or as if with reins
2
: to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins
reined in her horse
couldn't rein his impatience
1
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
2
archaic
: to submit to the use of reins
Examples of rein in a Sentence
Noun
He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process.
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Verb
try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving
Recent Examples on the Web
Big Think, 18 Sep. 2025
The store’s board announced Tuesday morning that CFO Donald Mulligan will now take over the reins.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Anyone who’s drinking hot pumpkin spice lattes in a chunky sweater may need to rein it in for a little while.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
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Noun
Betting heavily on moving up the economic value chain globally while still keeping the reins tight on domestic control.
—Big Think, 18 Sep. 2025
The store’s board announced Tuesday morning that CFO Donald Mulligan will now take over the reins.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Resist the urge to rein them in.
—Liz Teran, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Anyone who’s drinking hot pumpkin spice lattes in a chunky sweater may need to rein it in for a little while.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rein. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rein
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or strap fastened to a bit on each side for controlling an animal (as a horse)
—usually used in plural
2
a
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
kept the child under a tight rein
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
seized the reins of government
3
: complete freedom : scope
gave full rein to her imagination
rein
2 of 2 verb
: to check, control, or stop by or as if by reins
reined in the horse
couldn't rein his impatience
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