What does rein mean?
Rein has two closely related roles. As a noun, it denotes one of the straps attached to a horse's headgear, which a rider pulls to guide the animal or slow it down. The plural 'reins' also means control or authority: a person may 'hold the reins' of a company, 'take the reins' of an organization, or have 'the reins' placed in their hands. As a verb, 'rein' means to restrain, control, or limit, most often in the idiom 'rein in.' The expression 'give rein to' allows someone to express or pursue something freely, while 'let loose the reins' means to remove restrictions. Although the word comes from equestrian vocabulary, its figurative uses are now common in politics, business, economics, and everyday descriptions of self-control. It should not be confused with 'reign,' which refers primarily to a monarch's rule or to a period of authority.
A strap used to guide or control a horse or other animal, especially one passing from the rider's hand to the animal's headgear. In the plural, it can figuratively mean control or authority.
"The jockey tightened the reins as the horse entered the final turn."
The figurative sense normally appears in the plural 'reins' and in expressions such as 'hold the reins' and 'take the reins.'
To restrain, control, or limit the speed, actions, or extent of something.
"The new regulations were designed to rein in speculative trading."
The idiom 'rein in' is especially common: 'The government acted quickly to rein in prices.'
The plural is used literally for the individual straps on a horse's headgear and figuratively for control or authority.
"The new chief executive gradually took the reins of the company."
Give a horse its rein, and the metaphor soon follows: the reins of government, finance, and personal impulse have all been compared to bridle straps.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rein come from?
The word entered Middle English from an Anglo-French form related to Old French rene, ultimately derived from Latin regina, meaning 'queen'; the development is traditionally associated with the notion of a queen's bridle or governing power. Its verb use developed in the early 17th century in the sense of restraining or governing. It belongs to a wider group of English words connected with Latin regere, 'to rule or direct,' including 'reign' and 'regal.'
Related word forms
How rein is actually used
The verb is commonly used with 'in' to mean restrain or moderate: 'reined in inflation.' Figurative uses of the plural 'reins' refer to control over an organization, system, or personal behavior.
Easily confused with rein
A rein is a strap used to control a horse, whereas a reign is the period during which a monarch rules.