Illustration of rein
- R rein 1
1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
—usually used in plural
2
a
: a restraining influence : check
kept a tight rein on the proceedings
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
the reins of government
3
: opportunity for unhampered activity or use
gave full rein to her imagination
reined; reining; reins
1
: to control or direct with or as if with reins
2
: to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins
reined in her horse
couldn't rein his impatience
1
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
2
archaic
: to submit to the use of reins
Examples of rein in a Sentence
Noun
He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process.
after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the company
Verb
try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Sacramento City Unified School District is tightening its reins on the charter after public criticism that its oversight of the school had been insufficient.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 24 June 2025
The Florida Panthers, whose home ice is based in nearby Sunrise, Florida just west of downtown, are the reining NHL Champions and have made three straight Stanley Cup playoff runs, generating more than $100 million in economic impact across the region.
—Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
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Noun
Albert Ramdin, a former number two of the hemispheric agency and foreign minister of Suriname, was elected in March and took over the reins last month.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Sacramento City Unified School District is tightening its reins on the charter after public criticism that its oversight of the school had been insufficient.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
Insurers ramped up the red tape in recent years, drawing the ire of patients, doctors and state policy makers who have championed various fixes to rein it in.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 24 June 2025
The Florida Panthers, whose home ice is based in nearby Sunrise, Florida just west of downtown, are the reining NHL Champions and have made three straight Stanley Cup playoff runs, generating more than $100 million in economic impact across the region.
—Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rein. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rein
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or strap fastened to a bit on each side for controlling an animal (as a horse)
—usually used in plural
2
a
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
kept the child under a tight rein
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
seized the reins of government
3
: complete freedom : scope
gave full rein to her imagination
rein
2 of 2 verb
: to check, control, or stop by or as if by reins
reined in the horse
couldn't rein his impatience
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