Definition
As a noun, regulation is a rule or law that controls how something is done, or the act of controlling something. As an adjective, it can mean something that is standard or officially approved.
Etymology
From Late Latin *regulatio* (a ruling, regulation), from *regulare* (to rule), from *regula* (rule). It keeps the sense of setting and enforcing rules.
Kelly Says
Every safety label, seat belt rule, and building code is a regulation written in response to some past disaster. The phrase ‘by the book’ literally means by the book of regulations someone wrote to prevent chaos.
Translations
AFAfrikaans
regulasie
re-gu-LA-sie
BGБългарски
правило
pra-VI-lo
CACatalà
reglament
re-gla-MENT
CSČeština
předpis
PRED-pis
DADansk
forskrift
for-SKRIFT
DEDeutsch
Vorschrift
FOR-shrift
ELΕλληνικά
κανονισμός
ka-no-niz-MOS
ESEspañol
regulación
re-gu-la-SYON
FAفارسی
مقررات
mo-ghar-ra-at
FRFrançais
réglementation
re-gle-man-ta-SYON
GLGalego
regulamento
re-gu-la-MEN-to
HRHrvatski
propis
PRO-pis
HUMagyar
szabályozás
sa-baa-yo-ZAASH
IDBahasa Indonesia
peraturan
pe-ra-tu-ran
ITItaliano
regolamento
re-go-la-MEN-to
LTLietuvių
taisyklė
tai-SYK-le
LVLatviešu
noteikums
no-TEI-kums
MSBahasa Melayu
peraturan
pe-ra-tu-ran
MYမြန်မာ
စည်းမျဉ်း
si-myin
NLNederlands
regelgeving
RE-gel-ge-ving
NONorsk
forskrift
for-SKRIFT
PLPolski
przepis
PSHE-pis
PTPortuguês
regulamento
re-gu-la-MEN-to
RORomână
reglementare
re-gle-men-TA-re
RUРусский
правило
PRA-vi-lo
SKSlovenčina
predpis
PRED-pis
SLSlovenščina
predpis
PRED-pis
SVSvenska
förordning
fur-ORD-ning
SWKiswahili
kanuni
ka-NU-ni
TEతెలుగు
నిబంధన
ni-ban-dha-na
THไทย
ข้อบังคับ
khor bang-kap
TRTürkçe
düzenleme
du-zen-le-ME
UKУкраїнська
правило
PRA-vy-lo
VITiếng Việt
quy định
quy dinh
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Many regulations have explicitly targeted women’s work, dress, and reproductive health, as well as the rights of gender-diverse people. The language of "regulation" has often framed control over marginalized bodies as neutral administration.
Inclusive Usage
When discussing regulations, specify their gendered impacts and avoid assuming that formal neutrality means equal effect across genders.
Inclusive Alternatives
["rule","policy","standard","guideline"]
Empowerment Note
Highlight how women’s and LGBTQ+ advocacy has shaped regulations on workplace equality, harassment, and health access.