Link Centre Dictionary

regulate

re·gu·late

UK/ˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.leɪt/ US/ˈɹɛɡ.jə.leɪt/ uncommon

verb

1.

fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

  • “regulate the temperature”
  • “modulate the pitch”
Synonyms
2.

bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations

  • “We cannot regulate the way people dress”
  • “This town likes to regulate”
3.

shape or influence; give direction to

  • “experience often determines ability”
  • “mold public opinion”
4.

check the emission of (sound)

Synonyms

Origin

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.

Related words

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.