noun Uncommon

rein

rayn

Rein (noun) means a strap attached to a bridle, used to control and guide a horse. Example: “She pulled gently on the reins to slow the horse.”

noun

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

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 notes

In 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.

Easily confused with

reign → rain →

Common pairings

rein in give free rein hold the reins

Word forms

reined past tense, reins plural, reins plural, Reins plural, reins singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “rein” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

View more →

rule harness rein in draw rein

Related words

game law line policy rule regular serve convention

Rhymes for rein

vein bein Hein Fein Mein stein Klein herein protein therein wherein Hussein

See all rhymes for rein →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rein” mean?

The word “rein” means a strap attached to a bridle, used to control and guide a horse. In plain terms, the strap used to steer a horse, or, figuratively, a means of keeping something under control.

How do you pronounce “rein”?

“Rein” is pronounced rayn (/ɹeɪn/ in IPA).

How do you use “rein” in a sentence?

Here is “rein” used in a sentence: “She pulled gently on the reins to slow the horse.”

What part of speech is “rein”?

Depending on how it is used, “rein” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “rein” come from?

The word “rein” comes from Latin. From Old French reyne/resne, going back to Latin retinere, "to hold back" — the same root as retain.

Is “rein” a common word?

“Rein” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “rein” have?

“Rein” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strap attached to a bridle, used to control and guide a horse.

People also searched

game law line policy rule regular serve convention