self-regulate
verb
self-reg·u·late
ˌself-ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt 
also -ˈrā-
self-regulated; self-regulating; self-regulates
1
intransitive
: to regulate oneself or itself
allowing markets to self-regulate
… noted the overwhelming lack of public trust in the financial services industry's ability to self-regulate effectively …—
Sally Rose
Sally RoseThe idea is that the kids learn how to manage and self-regulate.—Cheyenne Derksen Schroeder
Cheyenne Derksen Schroeder2
transitive
: to control or govern (something) for or by oneself
… was hired by the motion picture industry to head up a new body to self-regulate the movies.—Katharine Monk
Katharine Monkthe ability of the child to self-regulate her behavior
… a horse who is permitted to self-regulate his intake will eat only what his body needs.—Juliet M. Getty
Juliet M. GettyExamples of self-regulate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When each person can self-regulate, offering support becomes generous rather than obligatory.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Besides safety and labeling requirements, the beauty industry is largely self-regulated, meaning not all claims are backed by science.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2025
Such partners are able to self-regulate, while offering you the space and support to do the same.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Seeing how each drug altered neural behavior in real time, the researchers discovered that carbamazepine 200 µM had a significant impact on how the neurons responded, self-regulated and adjusted.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-regulate
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Besides safety and labeling requirements, the beauty industry is largely self-regulated, meaning not all claims are backed by science.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2025
Such partners are able to self-regulate, while offering you the space and support to do the same.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Seeing how each drug altered neural behavior in real time, the researchers discovered that carbamazepine 200 µM had a significant impact on how the neurons responded, self-regulated and adjusted.
—New Atlas, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-regulate
Cite this Entry
“Self-regulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-regulate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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