regulation
rehg-yuu-LAY-shuhn
Regulation (noun) means an official rule issued by an authority to control how something is done. Example: “New safety regulations require all workers to wear helmets on site.”
noun
1
An official rule issued by an authority to control how something is done.
"New safety regulations require all workers to wear helmets on site."
"A local regulation says that dogs must be kept on leads in the park."
"The council introduced a new regulation about where lorries can park overnight."
2
The act or process of controlling something through rules.
"The regulation of the banking sector was tightened after the crisis."
"Many people argue that the regulation of online advertising needs to be stricter."
"Strict regulation of food labels helps shoppers know what they are buying."
adj
1
Matching the official standard size, shape, or specification.
"The court must be a regulation size for the match to count."
"The players checked that the ball was regulation size before the game began."
"He wore a regulation uniform, exactly as the school rules required."
How to use regulation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn official rule, or the process of setting and enforcing rules.
Common pairings
safety regulations
government regulation
regulation size
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Word forms
- Plural
- regulations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
New safety _____ require all workers to wear helmets on site.
Etymology
From regulate plus the suffix -ion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for regulation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for regulation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “regulation” mean?
The word “regulation” means an official rule issued by an authority to control how something is done. In plain terms, an official rule, or the process of setting and enforcing rules.
How do you pronounce “regulation”?
“Regulation” is pronounced rehg-yuu-LAY-shuhn (/ˌɹɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “regulation” in a sentence?
Here is “regulation” used in a sentence: “New safety regulations require all workers to wear helmets on site.”
What part of speech is “regulation”?
Depending on how it is used, “regulation” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “regulation” a common word?
“Regulation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “regulation” have?
“Regulation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official rule issued by an authority to control how something is done.
What is the difference between a regulation and a law?
A law is typically passed by a legislature, while a regulation is an official rule issued by an authority, such as a government agency, to control how something is done in practice. Regulations usually spell out the detailed requirements needed to apply a law. In everyday use, both are binding, but a regulation is narrower and more administrative.
What is the difference between a regulation and a rule?
A rule is any instruction about what is or is not allowed, and it can come from anyone, including a school, a game, or a household. A regulation is specifically an official rule issued by an authority, so it carries formal or legal weight. All regulations are rules, but not all rules are regulations.
Is regulation countable or uncountable?
Regulation is both. It is countable when it refers to a specific official rule, as in "a new safety regulation" or "the regulations require a permit." It is uncountable when it refers to the process of controlling something through rules, as in "government regulation of the banking industry."
What verbs are commonly used with regulation?
The most common patterns are comply with regulations, follow regulations, violate or breach regulations, and introduce or enforce regulations. When talking about the process sense, people speak of tightening, easing, or relaxing regulation. Something governed by rules is said to be "subject to regulation" or "under regulation."
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