regulate
gb/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt/ us/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt/
B2
English
~ 8600
szabályoz, kezel
VERB
B2
FORMAL
1
szabályoz
B2
Usage pattern:
to regulate [industry/activity/process]
The government plans to regulate social media companies more strictly.
A kormány azt tervezi, hogy szigorúbban szabályozza a közösségi médiával foglalkozó cégek működését.
New laws were introduced to regulate the sale of tobacco products.
Új törvényeket vezettek be a dohánytermékek értékesítésének szabályozására.
International agreements aim to regulate the trade in endangered species.
Central banks regulate financial institutions to protect consumers.
The agency was created to regulate advertising aimed at children.
Learner examples
The government regulates banks to keep money safe.
A kormány szabályozza a bankokat, hogy az emberek pénze biztonságban legyen.
Many people want the state to regulate the price of medicine.
Sokan szeretnék, ha az állam szabályozná a gyógyszerek árát.
New rules will regulate how companies use your data.
The city council voted to regulate short-term rentals.
A special office regulates food safety in restaurants.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "regulate" for everyday personal control (e.g., *I regulate my kids' homework*), which can sound too formal or legalistic. In casual contexts, "control" or "manage" is usually better. "Regulate" is most natural when talking about official or institutional rules, especially by governments or authorities.
Meaning
control by rules or laws
Collocations
regulate industry
|regulate the market
|regulate prices
|regulate business practices
|heavily regulated
|government-regulated
Synonyms
control (more general and common; does not always suggest formal rules or laws, while "regulate" usually does)
|
govern (often used for countries or organizations; slightly broader, but similar when talking about setting rules)
Antonyms
deregulate (specifically means to remove rules or controls from an industry or activity, the direct opposite of regulating it)
Themes
law
|business
|politics
|economics
Definition
to control an activity or business by making and using rules or laws
To control an activity, industry, or process by using official rules, laws, or standards, often created and enforced by a government or authority.
VERB
B2
2
szabályoz
B2
Usage pattern:
to regulate [temperature/speed/flow/pressure]
Thermostats are used to regulate the temperature inside the building.
A termosztátok az épületen belüli hőmérséklet szabályozására szolgálnak.
Insulin helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.
Az inzulin segít a szervezetnek szabályozni a vércukorszintet.
These valves regulate the flow of water through the pipes.
The pacemaker helps regulate his heart rate.
The software continuously regulates the speed of the motor.
Learner examples
Your body regulates its temperature when you are hot or cold.
A szervezeted szabályozza a testhőmérsékletedet, amikor meleged van vagy fázol.
Special cells in the body regulate blood sugar.
Speciális sejtek szabályozzák a vércukorszintet.
This machine regulates the pressure in the tank.
Traffic lights help regulate the flow of cars.
You can regulate the fan speed with this dial.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the legal/policy sense and talk about "regulating" things that are just manually changed once (e.g., *I regulated the volume*). In many everyday cases, "adjust" or "turn up/down" is more natural unless there is ongoing or automatic control.
Meaning
control level or rate of process
Collocations
regulate temperature
|regulate blood sugar
|regulate heart rate
|regulate pressure
|regulate airflow
|regulate engine speed
Synonyms
stabilize (focuses on keeping something steady; "regulate" includes both setting and maintaining a desired level)
|
adjust (suggests making a change; "regulate" suggests ongoing or precise control, often automatically)
Antonyms
disrupt (to disturb or break the normal control or balance of a system, the opposite of regulated, stable functioning)
Themes
science
|technology
|health
|work
Definition
to control or change something like temperature, speed, or flow so it stays at the right level
To control or adjust the level, rate, pressure, or amount of something such as temperature, flow, or speed so that it stays within a desired range or works correctly.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
to regulate [emotions/behavior/appetite/sleep]
Therapy can help children learn to regulate their emotions.
A terápia segíthet a gyerekeknek megtanulni, hogyan szabályozzák az érzelmeiket.
The medication is used to regulate her sleep patterns.
A gyógyszert az alvási ritmusának szabályozására használják.
Mindfulness exercises may improve your ability to regulate stress responses.
Teachers play an important role in helping students regulate their behavior in the classroom.
Regular meals help regulate appetite throughout the day.
Learner examples
He finds it hard to regulate his anger.
Nehezen tudja kezelni a dühét.
Deep breathing can help you regulate your stress.
A mély légzés segíthet kezelni a stresszt.
The doctor gave her pills to regulate her sleep.
Parents teach kids how to regulate their behavior.
Exercise can help regulate your mood.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse stronger emotional verbs and say *control your feelings* in all cases. In psychology and education, "regulate" is preferred when talking about slowly keeping emotions or behavior at a healthy level, not just stopping them suddenly.
Meaning
control emotions or behavior
Collocations
regulate emotions
|regulate behavior
|regulate appetite
|regulate sleep
|self-regulate
|emotion regulation
Synonyms
manage (less formal and more general; does not suggest the same technical or psychological focus as "regulate")
|
control (very common and broad; "regulate" often implies more measured, steady control, especially in psychology or health contexts)
Antonyms
lose control (describes failing to manage emotions or behavior, the opposite of regulating them)
Themes
psychology
|health
|education
|emotions
|body
Definition
to control or manage how you act, feel, or how your body works so it stays normal or acceptable
To control or manage one’s own or another’s behavior, emotions, or bodily functions so that they stay within a healthy, acceptable, or desired range.
Grammar
Dictionary form
regulate
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt/
US/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
reg - u - late (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (reg)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: regulate
- 3rd Person Singular: regulates
- Present Participle: regulating
- Past: regulated
Word family
Forms
regulates
verb
regulating
verb
regulated
verb
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
regulative
adjective
overregulate
verb
overregulation
noun
Expressions
heavily regulated
1/hˈɛvɪli ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
controlled by many strict rules
used to describe an activity or industry that has many strict official rules or laws
Examples
- The sale of alcohol is heavily regulated in this country.
- Banking is a heavily regulated sector of the economy.
regulate blood sugar
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt blˈʌd ʃˈʊɡɚ/
fixed phrase
control blood sugar level
to keep the level of sugar in the blood at a healthy level
Examples
- Insulin helps the body regulate blood sugar.
- Eating regularly can help regulate blood sugar throughout the day.
regulate emotions
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt ɪmˈoʊʃənz/
fixed phrase
control or manage emotions
to control how strongly you feel and how you show your feelings
Examples
- Children gradually learn to regulate emotions like anger and fear.
- Mindfulness training can improve your ability to regulate emotions.
regulate heart rate
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt hˈɑɹt ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
control speed of heartbeat
to keep the speed of the heartbeat normal or at the right level
Examples
- The medication is designed to regulate heart rate during exercise.
- Pacemakers help regulate heart rate in patients with arrhythmia.
regulate industry
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
control industry with official rules
to control how companies in an industry work by making and using official rules or laws
Examples
- The agency was created to regulate industry and protect workers.
- Countries differ in how tightly they regulate industry to reduce pollution.
regulate temperature
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt tˈɛmpɚɪt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
control temperature level
to control how hot or cold something is, like a room or a body
Examples
- Reptiles need external heat sources to help regulate their body temperature.
- This smart system automatically regulates temperature in each room.
regulate the market
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
control an economic market by rules
to control how buying and selling happen in a market by making and using official rules or laws
Examples
- Many voters want the government to regulate the market more strictly.
- International bodies work together to regulate the market for carbon emissions.
regulate traffic
1/ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪt tɹˈæfɪk/
fixed phrase
control the flow of traffic
to control how cars and other vehicles move, usually by using rules, signs, or lights
Examples
- New cameras have been installed to regulate traffic at busy intersections.
- Speed limits are used to regulate traffic on the highway.
tightly regulated
1/tˈaɪtli ɹˈɛɡjəlˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
very strictly controlled by rules
used to describe something that is controlled very strictly by rules or laws
Examples
- Pharmaceutical drugs are tightly regulated to ensure safety.
- Environmental standards in this region are tightly regulated.