Regulation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˌre-gyə-ˈlā-shən/ reg·u·la·tion

Meaning & Definition of Regulation

Regulation (noun)

  1. the act of regulating, the state of being regulated
  2. an authoritative rule dealing with details or procedure
  3. a rule or order issued by an executive authority or regulatory agency of a government and having the force of law

Regulation (adjective)

  1. conforming to regulations, official

Regulation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a statement spelling out the proper procedure or conduct for an activity

    "it's against community regulations to leave your trash on the curb for more than two days"

    similar: bylaw, ground rule, reg, rule
    related: code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction, convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice, tradition, way, blueprint, canon, formula, guide, guideline, standard

  2. the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something

    "the owner seldom visited the plant and did not take an active part in the regulation of the company"

    similar: administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision
    related: generalship, leadership, rulership, agency, aegis, custody, guardianship, keeping, lap, protection, safekeeping, trust, tutelage, ward, engineering, logistics, machination, manipulation, coadministration, codirection, comanagement

  3. the duty or function of watching or guarding for the sake of proper direction or control

    "the regulation of the soccer team was left entirely to the head coach and her assistants"

    similar: care, charge, guidance, headship, oversight, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision, surveillance
    related: monitoring, observance, observation, observing, policing, administration, control, direction, generalship, hand(s), management, running, leadership, piloting, shepherding, steering, government, reign, rule, aegis, auspices, guardianship, protection, trusteeship, tutelage

Regulation (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in legal, legitimate

    similar: lawful, legal, legit (slang), legitimate, licit, permissible, authorized, official, sanctioned, approved, endorsed, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported, certified, licensed, authoritative, canonical, ex officio, semiofficial
    opposite: nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, impermissible, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, unapproved, unlicensed, verboten

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Regulation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Regulation:

Slang: legit
bylaw, ground rule, reg, rule, administration, care, charge, conduct, control, direction, governance, government, guidance, handling, intendance, management, operation, oversight, presidency, running, stewardship, superintendence, superintendency, supervision, headship, surveillance, lawful, legal, legitimate, licit, permissible, authorized, official, sanctioned, approved, endorsed, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Regulation

Words with the opposite meaning of Regulation:

nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned, illegal, illegitimate, illicit, impermissible, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, unapproved, unlicensed, verboten

Related Words for Regulation

code, constitution, decalogue, directory, act, law, ordinance, statute, behest, command, commandment, decree, dictate, directive, edict, fiat, instruction, order, axiom, fundamental, maxim, precept, moral, principle, value, ban, interdiction, prohibition, proscription, restriction

Origin & Etymology of Regulation

First known use: 1611

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Regulation

Words & Phrases Containing Regulation

self-regulation, reregulation

Frequently Asked Questions about Regulation

What does "Regulation" mean?

"Regulation" means the act of regulating, the state of being regulated. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: the act of regulating, the state of being regulated. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Regulation"?

Other words for "Regulation" include bylaw, ground rule, reg, rule, administration, care, charge and conduct. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Regulation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Regulation"?

There are 125 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Regulation". Common alternatives include bylaw, ground rule, reg, rule, administration, care, charge, conduct, control and direction.

What is the opposite of "Regulation"?

Antonyms of "Regulation" include nonofficial, unauthorized, unofficial, unsanctioned, illegal, illegitimate, illicit and impermissible.

How do you use "Regulation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Regulation" in a sentence: "it's against community regulations to leave your trash on the curb for more than two days"; "the owner seldom visited the plant and did not take an active part in the regulation of the company"; "the regulation of the soccer team was left entirely to the head coach and her assistants".

Is "Regulation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Regulation" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Regulation" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Regulation" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Regulation"?

"Regulation" is pronounced /ˌre-gyə-ˈlā-shən/ and divided into syllables as reg·u·la·tion.