regulate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To control an activity or process using rules or laws.

   New laws were introduced to regulate the banking industry.

2. 2
   verb

   To adjust or control the rate, amount, or level of something.

   This valve regulates the flow of water into the tank.

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.

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