noun
rein
rayn
noun
1
A strap attached to a bridle, used to control and guide a horse.
"She pulled gently on the reins to slow the horse."
"He gathered the reins and swung into the saddle."
verb
1
To restrain or keep something under control (often "rein in").
"The manager had to rein in spending before the budget ran out."
"He learned to rein in his temper during meetings."
How to Use Rein
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe strap used to steer a horse, or, figuratively, a means of keeping something under control.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "reign" (a monarch's rule) or "rain" — all three sound identical but mean completely different things.
Common pairings
rein in
give free rein
hold the reins
Word Forms
reined past tense, reins plural, reins plural, Reins plural, reins singular
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She pulled gently on the _____ to slow the horse.
Etymology
From Old French reyne/resne, going back to Latin retinere, "to hold back" — the same root as retain.