# regulate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɹɛɡjəleɪ̯t/ · frequency rank #8,716

## Definitions
1. To dictate policy.
2. To control or direct according to rule, principle, or law.
3. To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning.
4. To put or maintain in order.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin regulatus, perfect passive participle of regulō (“to direct, rule, regulate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from regula (“rule”), from regō (“to keep straight, direct, govern, rule”). Compare regle, rail. Displaced native Old English metegian.

## Easily confused with
- **relate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulate-vs-relate)
- **regulated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulate-vs-regulated)
- **regulator** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulate-vs-regulator)
- **regulates** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulate-vs-regulates)
- **regular** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regular-vs-regulate)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ergulate`, `reggulate`, `regluate`, `regualte`, `regulaet`, `regulatte`, `regullate`, `regultae`, `reuglate`, `rgeulate`, `rregulate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/regulate