regulation
C1Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
An official rule, directive, or law created and enforced by an authority (often a government or organization) to control conduct or manage a system.
The act or process of controlling, adjusting, or managing something to function correctly or according to a standard; a state of order or stability maintained by rules.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a count noun when referring to specific rules (e.g., 'new regulations'). As a mass noun, it refers to the general concept or system of control (e.g., 'the need for regulation'). Can imply both necessary order and excessive bureaucratic control.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is highly similar. Minor spelling differences in related terms (e.g., BrE 'deregulate' vs. AmE also 'deregulate'). In financial/legal contexts, the plural 'Regulations' is often capitalized when part of a proper title in both variants.
Connotations
Similar connotations of authority and control. In public discourse, can carry a negative nuance of 'red tape' or bureaucratic interference, or a positive one of consumer/environmental protection.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE in business/financial news. In BrE, 'rules' is more common in everyday contexts, while 'regulation' dominates in official, EU, or technical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
regulation of [noun] (e.g., regulation of industry)regulation on [noun/gerund] (e.g., regulation on emissions)regulation that [clause] (e.g., a regulation that prohibits...)under regulation (e.g., falls under new regulation)in accordance with regulationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[adjective] to regulation (e.g., 'trimmed to regulation length')”
- “play by the regulations”
- “a maze/web of regulations”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to legal constraints and compliance requirements affecting operations, e.g., 'The new data protection regulation impacts our marketing strategy.'
Academic
Used in economics, law, political science, and biology (e.g., gene regulation). Denotes systematic control within a framework.
Everyday
Often used in news contexts about laws, or personally when discussing rules (e.g., 'building regulations for the new extension').
Technical
In engineering, the process of maintaining a parameter (e.g., voltage regulation). In biology, homeostatic control.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new agency will regulate the utilities market.
- Her body cannot properly regulate its temperature.
American English
- The FCC regulates interstate communications.
- This valve regulates the flow of water.
adverb
British English
- The team played regulatively, sticking strictly to the coach's system.
- The machine functions regulatively to maintain pressure.
American English
- The system operates regulatively to ensure fair distribution.
- Prices were adjusted regulatively by the oversight committee.
adjective
British English
- He was wearing regulation football boots.
- The room was kept at the regulation temperature.
American English
- She wore the regulation uniform for the ceremony.
- The package was of regulation size and weight.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school has a regulation about uniforms.
- Please follow the safety regulations.
- New regulations require cleaner car engines.
- The company faces fines for breaking data protection regulations.
- Stricter regulation of the financial sector was introduced after the crisis.
- The industry association opposed what it saw as excessive government regulation.
- The proposed EU regulation on artificial intelligence has sparked a debate about innovation versus ethical constraints.
- Deregulation in the 1980s led to a significant shift in the telecommunications landscape.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REGULAr army: they follow strict RULES and maintain ORDER. REGULATION brings things to a REGULAr, orderly state.
Conceptual Metaphor
REGULATION IS A CONTAINER (keeps activity within bounds); REGULATION IS A TOOL (for shaping/controlling a system); REGULATION IS A BURDEN (weighs down on business).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'regular' (обычный, регулярный). 'Regulation' — это правило, норма, регламент, а не регулярность.
- В отличие от русского 'регулирование' (процесс), английское 'regulation' чаще означает конкретный нормативный акт.
- Избегайте кальки 'контроль' для перевода. 'Control' в английском шире и не всегда подразумевает правовую норму.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'regulation' as an uncountable noun for a specific rule (e.g., 'I broke a regulation' is correct, not 'I broke regulation').
- Confusing 'regulation' (n.) with 'regulating' (gerund).
- Overusing 'regulation' in informal contexts where 'rule' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'regulation' used as a mass (uncountable) noun referring to the general concept of control?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is neutral. Context gives it positive (protecting consumers) or negative (stifling business) connotations.
A 'law' (statute, act) is typically passed by a legislature. A 'regulation' is a detailed rule created by an executive authority or agency under powers granted by a law to implement it.
Yes, as an attributive noun (e.g., 'regulation size') meaning 'official' or 'standard', often implying conformity with rules.
Yes, it specifically means the removal or reduction of government regulations. More general opposites include 'anarchy' or 'lawlessness'.
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