1. (

• regulation ,
• regulating

) the act of controlling or directing according to rule; "fiscal regulations are in the hands of politicians" ;

1. (

• regulate ,
• modulate ,

) fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of; "regulate the temperature"; "modulate the pitch" ;

2. (

• regulate ,
• regularize ,
• regularise ,
• order ,
• govern ,

) bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations; "We cannot regulate the way people dress"; "This town likes to regulate" ;

3. (

• determine ,
• shape ,
• mold ,
• influence ,
• regulate

) shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often determines ability"; "mold public opinion" ;

4. (

• baffle ,
• regulate ,

) restrain the emission of (sound, fluid, etc.) ;