What does reining mean?
Reining means controlling a horse through the reins, usually to guide it, slow it down, or stop it. The most familiar expression, 'reining in,' also has a figurative use meaning restraining or limiting something: a person may rein in spending, anger, ambition, or a dangerous situation. In equestrian contexts, reining can refer more broadly to riding and handling a horse with the reins, and it is also the name of a Western riding discipline emphasizing precise control, balance, and maneuvers. As a verb form, reining is normally used with 'in' or appears in a progressive construction such as 'was reining the horse.' Although the word looks similar to 'raining,' its meaning and its spelling both reflect the equipment used by a rider. Reining ultimately belongs to the same Latin family of words as 'reign,' because both trace their histories to forms of Latin regere, meaning 'to rule' or 'direct.'
To control a horse with the reins, especially to slow or stop it; by extension, to restrain or limit.
"The rider reined in the horse before the crowded street."
Most often used as the present participle of rein, especially in 'reining in.'
The activity or action of riding and controlling a horse with the reins; also the equestrian discipline centered on precise control and maneuvers.
"The exhibition featured reining alongside roping and barrel racing."
When referring to the discipline, the word is normally used as an uncountable noun.
The plural is uncommon; the word is usually uncountable when referring to the equestrian discipline.
"The two reinings featured fast horses and tightly choreographed routines."
A horse needs reining; a monarch needs reigning—two very different jobs with a surprisingly distant shared root.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reining come from?
Reining is the present participle of rein, from Middle English rein, borrowed from Old French rene. Old French rene came from Latin regna, the plural of regnum meaning 'reins' or 'bridle,' ultimately from regere, 'to rule' or 'direct.' The same Latin root also produced 'reign' and the family represented by 'regency,' 'regiment,' and 'regular.'
Related word forms
How reining is actually used
Reining is most often used as the present participle of rein, particularly in the phrase 'rein in.' It is more natural in the forms 'reining in' or 'reined in' than as a standalone finite verb.
Easily confused with reining
Reining involves controlling a horse with reins, whereas reigning means ruling as a monarch or, in figurative use, prevailing.
Reining contains the letters in order and means controlling with reins; raining refers to falling rain.