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regulation

reg-yoo-LAY-shun /ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃən/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

formalgeneral

A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

Often refers to official rules governing conduct, especially in business or government, to ensure fairness, safety, or ethical practice.

The story behind the word. The word 'regulation' comes from the Latin 'regula,' meaning 'rule, straight edge.' This root also gives us words like 'regular' and 'regent.' The idea is to keep things 'straight' or in order according to a set standard. In English, it evolved to mean a rule or authoritative directive, especially one designed to control or govern conduct, often by a government or official body.

Word relationships

rule: A set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.
ordinance: A piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.
statute: A written law passed by a legislative body.

deregulation: The removal of regulations or restrictions, especially in a particular industry.
anarchy: A state of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority.

Word family

regulate (verb): to control or maintain the rate or speed of (a machine or process) so that it operates properly; to control by means of rules and regulations.
regulatory (adjective): relating to the regulation or supervision of a particular industry or activity.

Collocations

government regulation
financial regulation
data regulation
strict regulation
impose regulation
comply with regulation

Example sentences

"New environmental regulations were introduced to curb industrial pollution." In government policy.
"Many tech companies are calling for clearer regulation regarding data privacy and AI development." In the tech industry.
"The safety regulation requires all workers to wear hard hats on the construction site." A specific rule.

Memory hook

To 'REGULATE' is to set 'RULES' that make things 'REGULAR' and orderly. Official rule.

When not to use

Do not use 'regulation' for informal rules or guidelines that lack official authority. For those, 'guidelines' or 'principles' would be more appropriate.

Fun facts

The term 'regulatory capture' describes a situation where a regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or political concerns of special interest groups that dominate the industry or sector it is charged with regulating.