regulate

[ reg-yuh-leyt ]
/ ˈrɛg yəˌleɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR regulate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), reg·u·lat·ed, reg·u·lat·ing.

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.

Origin of regulate

First recorded in 1620–30, regulate is from the Late Latin word rēgulātus (past participle of rēgulāre). See regula, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM regulate

Words nearby regulate

regular tertiaries, regular verb, regular year, regularize, regularly, regulate, regulated tenancy, regulation, regulation t, regulation u, regulator

Words related to regulative

administrative, managerial, directorial, supervisory, regulatory, governmental, ministerial, commanding, legislative, organizational, bureaucratic, departmental, determining, controlling, directing, governing, managing, directive, authoritative, central

Example sentences from the Web for regulative

British Dictionary definitions for regulative

regulate
/ (ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control
to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly
to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage

Derived forms of regulate

regulative or regulatory, adjective regulatively, adverb

Word Origin for regulate

C17: from Late Latin rēgulāre to control, from Latin rēgula a ruler

Medical definitions for regulative

regulate
[ rĕg′yə-lāt′ ]

v.

To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
To adjust to a particular specification or requirement.
To adjust a mechanism for accurate and proper functioning.
To put or maintain in order.

Other words from regulate

reg′u•la′tive null adj. reg′u•la′tor n.