regulatory
REG-yuh-luh-tor-ee
/ˈreɡjələtɔːri/
Relating to or intended for the control and supervision of an activity, industry, or public authority by rules.
Pertains to administrative agencies enforcing specific standards rather than parliamentary lawmaking itself.
The story behind the word. Traces to Latin 'regula', meaning a carpenter's straight rule, derived from 'regere' (to guide straight or lead). Thus, regulatory mechanisms keep operations running in a straight line within set boundaries.
Word relationships
- supervisory: 'Supervisory' emphasizes overseeing people or operations rather than creating and enforcing administrative rules.
- statutory: 'Statutory' means explicitly dictated by legislative statute rather than executive agency regulations.
- unregulated: 'Unregulated' describes an activity free from statutory rules or agency control.
- deregulated: 'Deregulated' refers to an industry where legal restrictions have been systematically removed.
Commonly confused with
- legislative: 'Legislative' refers to lawmaking by elected representatives; 'regulatory' refers to rule-making and enforcement by administrative agencies.
Word family
- regulate (verb): To control or maintain by rules.
- regulation (noun): A rule or directive made and maintained by authority.
- regulator (noun): A person or body that supervises an industry.
Collocations
- regulatory framework
- regulatory agency
- regulatory compliance
- regulatory oversight
Example sentences
- "The bank had to update its compliance systems to meet stricter regulatory requirements." Finance
- "Regulatory agencies monitor workplace safety to prevent industrial accidents." Administrative Law
Memory hook
REGULAR / RULE: Keeping industry running REGULARLY according to RULES. Keeping things straight according to rules.
When not to use
Do not confuse with general advisory or voluntary standards.
Fun facts
- The term 'regulatory capture' describes a political failure where a regulatory agency becomes dominated by the industry it was created to control.
Related words
Explore more words
regulation, Regulatory approval, administrative, enforce, deregulation, enforcement
Also appears in
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