regulate

Definitions

regul (rule) + -ate (to make/do) = 'to bring into line with the rule.' Picture holding a system up against a straightedge and keeping it straight. In public life this means governing by law (regulate the market); in physical systems it means keeping a value steady (a thermostat regulates temperature). Same act of enforcing a standard, two arenas.

Common Collocations

• 1.regulate the market规范市场
• 2.regulate emissions管控排放
• 3.strictly regulate严格监管
• 4.regulate the flow调节流量
• 5.self-regulate自我调节

Example Sentences

• 1.

  New laws were introduced to regulate the financial industry.

• 2.

  The government has promised to regulate carbon emissions more strictly.

• 3.

  Sweating helps the body regulate its temperature.

• 4.

  A valve regulates the flow of water into the tank.

Easily Confused

regulate vs control vs manage — control is the broadest (control a car, control your temper). manage implies running something day to day (manage a team). regulate specifically means holding something to a rule or steady level — by law (regulate banks) or by adjustment (regulate temperature). You regulate an industry, but you manage a project.