/ ˈregjuleɪt; NAmE / verb
1.
to control sth by means of rules :
[ vn ]
The activities of credit companies are regulated by law.
[ v ]
It is up to the regulating authority to put the measures into effect.
2.
[ vn ] to control the speed, pressure, temperature, etc. in a machine or system :
This valve regulates the flow of water.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense control by rules ): from late Latin regulat- directed, regulated, from the verb regulare , from Latin regula rule.