Regulation: meaning, definitions and examples

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regulation

 

[ ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən ]

Context #1 | Noun

government

Regulation refers to laws or rules made by a government or other authority in order to control the way something is done or the way people behave.

Synonyms

guideline, law, rule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
regulation

Used for specific rules or directives made and maintained by an authority, often related to industries or activities. They ensure compliance and standardization.

  • The FDA has strict regulations for pharmaceutical companies.
rule

General directives or principles governing behavior within certain contexts, like games, organizations, or procedures. Rules can be formal or informal.

  • The school has a rule that students must wear uniforms.
law

Denotes formal rules established by a legislative body or authority with legal backing. Violating a law typically results in penalties or legal action.

  • Driving under the influence is against the law.
guideline

Refers to advice or instructions meant to inform and guide behavior or decisions. Guidelines are often not mandatory but recommended practices.

  • The World Health Organization issued new guidelines for handling infectious diseases.

Examples of usage

  • The new regulations will require all cars to have emission controls.
  • These regulations are designed to protect consumers from unfair business practices.
Context #2 | Noun

business

Regulation can also refer to the act of regulating or controlling something, such as a process or system.

Synonyms

control, management, supervision.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
regulation

Used when referring to official rules or laws set by an authority to control an activity or process.

  • The government introduced new regulations to reduce carbon emissions.
  • There are strict regulations governing the use of pesticides.
control

Employed when emphasizing the power to influence or direct behavior, processes, or functions.

  • The manager has tight control over company finances.
  • Parents should have control over what their children watch on TV.
management

Appropriate for discussing the organization, planning, and coordination of activities to achieve specific objectives.

  • Effective management is crucial for the success of any business.
  • She is responsible for the management of the project.
supervision

Best used when talking about overseeing the work or behavior of people to ensure tasks are completed correctly.

  • The construction site operates under close supervision to maintain safety standards.
  • Employees work more efficiently under the supervision of their team leader.

Examples of usage

  • The regulation of the temperature in the greenhouse is crucial for the growth of plants.
  • Strict regulation of financial markets is necessary to prevent fraud and abuse.
Context #3 | Noun

sports

In sports, regulation refers to the normal period of playing time in a game, before any extra time or overtime.

Synonyms

normal time, regular time, standard time.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
regulation

Used to define rules or directives made and maintained by an authority.

  • The new environmental regulations will be implemented next year.
  • He was fined for breaking the safety regulations.
standard time

Used to refer to the local time in a specific region, usually the time set by law as opposed to daylight saving time.

  • Standard time in this zone is GMT+2.
  • Countries often switch from daylight saving time back to standard time in the fall.
regular time

Describes the usual schedule or duration for activities, often used interchangeably with 'normal time'.

  • During regular time, the store is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
  • Students attend classes during regular time on weekdays.
normal time

Refers to the expected or typical time for an event, often compared to extraordinary or additional time.

  • The game ended in normal time, without needing extra time.
  • Under normal time, employees work eight hours a day.

Examples of usage

  • The game ended in a tie at the end of regulation.
  • The team scored the winning goal in regulation time.

Translations

Translations of the word "regulation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 regulamento

🇮🇳 नियमन

🇩🇪 Regelung

🇮🇩 regulasi

🇺🇦 регулювання

🇵🇱 regulacja

🇯🇵 規則 (きそく)

🇫🇷 réglementation

🇪🇸 regulación

🇹🇷 düzenleme

🇰🇷 규제 (gyuje)

🇸🇦 تنظيم

🇨🇿 regulace

🇸🇰 regulácia

🇨🇳 规章 (guīzhāng)

🇸🇮 urejanje

🇮🇸 reglugerð

🇰🇿 реттеу

🇬🇪 რეგულაცია

🇦🇿 tənzimləmə

🇲🇽 regulación

Etymology

The word 'regulation' originated from the Latin word 'regulatio' which means 'a directing or ruling'. The concept of regulation has been present in human societies for centuries, as a way to maintain order and control. In modern times, regulations play a crucial role in various aspects of life, from government and business to sports and entertainment.

See also: regulatability, regulatable, regulating, regulators, regulatory, unregulated.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,663, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.