regulatory

UK: /ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪtəri/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

reg•u•late /ˈrɛgyəˌleɪt/   v. [~ + object] , -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. to control or direct by a rule, principle, or method:
   Laws exist to regulate traffic on the highways.
2. to adjust to some standard or requirement:
   to regulate the temperature.
3. to adjust so as to be accurate or correct:
   to regulate a watch.
4. to put in good order:
   to regulate one's diet.

reg•u•la•tive /ˈrɛgyəˌleɪtɪv, -yələtɪv/  reg•u•la•to•ry /ˈrɛgyələˌtɔri/  adj. 
reg•u•la•tor, n. [countable] See -reg-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

reg•u•late  (reg′yə lāt′), v.t., -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc.:
   to regulate household expenses.
2. to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc.:
   to regulate the temperature.
3. to adjust so as to ensure accuracy of operation:
   to regulate a watch.
4. to put in good order:
   to regulate the digestion.

• Late Latin rēgulātus (past participle of rēgulāre). See regula, -ate¹
• 1620–30;

reg•u•la•tive  (reg′yə lā′tiv, -yə lə tiv), reg•u•la•to•ry  (reg′yə lə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj.  reg′u•la′tive•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. rule, govern, manage, order, adjust, arrange, dispose, conduct.
• 2. set.
• 4. systematize.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

regulate / ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪt/ verb (transitive)

1. to adjust (the amount of heat, sound, etc, of something) as required; control
2. to adjust (an instrument or appliance) so that it operates correctly
3. to bring into conformity with a rule, principle, or usage

Etymology: 17th Century: from Late Latin rēgulāre to control, from Latin rēgula a ruler

ˈregulative, ˈregulatory adjective

ˈregulatively adverb