regulate
/ˈreɡjuleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈreɡjuleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt also ˈrā-/ (ame, mw)
regulate — verb
- regulatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- regulateshe / she / it
- regulatedpast simple
- regulating-ing form
1. to use official rules or laws to control how something is done or how people beh
to use official rules or laws to control how something is done or how people behave — for example, regulating the financial industry, or regulating the amount of pollution a factory can release.
The government regulates the sale of medicines to ensure they are safe.
regulate + noun phrase for controlling by law
New rules were introduced to regulate how banks lend money to customers.
passive: be introduced to regulate + how-clause
Food safety agencies regulate the amount of sugar allowed in soft drinks.
A national board was set up to regulate the prices that hospitals can charge.
Countries around the world regulate the trading of wild animals to protect endangered species.
- control
Broader term; can mean any form of power or direction, not necessarily through formal rules.
- govern
Suggests authority over a state or large organization, with an emphasis on policy-making.
- oversee
Implies watching over a process to ensure it runs correctly, with less direct rule-setting.
- manage
Focuses on directing people or resources efficiently; less about enforcing rules.
- deregulate
To remove existing rules or restrictions, allowing free operation.
文法句型
regulate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice, especially with 'be regulated by [authority]'. The subject is typically a government agency, official body, or legal system.
常見錯誤
2. to make a machine, device, or system work at a particular level of speed, temper
to make a machine, device, or system work at a particular level of speed, temperature, pressure, or another measurable condition — for example, regulating the temperature in a room, or regulating the flow of water through a pipe.
The wall thermostat regulates the temperature in the living room automatically.
regulate + noun phrase for adjusting a device or system
You can regulate the speed of the fan by turning this dial.
Dario adjusted the controls to regulate the flow of water through the pipes.
The timing of the engine is regulated by a small computer chip.
This knob lets you regulate how much light comes from the lamp.
- adjust
More general; can mean any small change to make something work better, not necessarily involving rules or controls.
- modulate
More technical; suggests varying a signal, frequency, or output level in response to changing conditions.
- control
In a mechanical context, overlaps with 'regulate' but is broader and less precise.
- set
Means to fix a value rather than continuously adjusting; a one-time action rather than ongoing regulation.
文法句型
regulate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in technical and scientific contexts. The object is typically a measurable physical quantity such as temperature, speed, pressure, flow rate, or timing.