What does regulation mean?
A regulation is an official rule that governs conduct or an activity, especially one issued by a government department, regulator, or other administrative authority. The term also denotes the process of controlling or standardizing something: strict regulation can refer either to a system of rules or to the careful management of an industry, institution, or biological process. In everyday usage, regulation is especially associated with government controls over matters such as safety, commerce, broadcasting, the environment, and financial markets. It can imply protection and order, although it may also suggest restriction, bureaucracy, or excessive oversight. A regulation differs formally from legislation because it is generally made or administered by an authority acting under powers granted by a law. The word is both countable, when referring to an individual rule, and uncountable, when referring to the wider system or practice of regulation.
nounA rule or set of rules made by a government or other authority to control behavior or activities. It can also refer to the act of controlling something according to such rules or standards.
- A rule made by a government or other authority to govern an activity or behavior.
- The act or process of controlling something according to rules, standards, or established conditions.
"The company revised its safety regulations after an internal review."
"New regulations limit the amount of water that factories may discharge."
"Careful regulation of the medication reduced the number of adverse reactions."
The plural refers to individual rules or to a collection of official requirements.
"The regulations prohibit smoking in all public buildings."
Regulation comes from the Latin regula, meaning “rule,” and ultimately from regere, “to straighten” or “direct.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does regulation come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French regulation, derived from Latin regulatio, itself formed from regula, meaning “rule” or “pattern.” The Latin root regula came from regere, “to straighten, direct, or rule.” The same ultimate root also produced words such as rule, regular, and regal.
Related word forms
How regulation is actually used
The word is most common in government, law, industry, and administration. A specific rule may be called a regulation, while the collective body of such rules is also called regulation. In formal legal contexts, a regulation normally derives its authority from legislation.
Easily confused with regulation
Legislation is a law passed by a legislative body, whereas a regulation is a rule made or administered under the authority granted by such a law.