regulation
A regulation is an official rule that tells people how to do something or how they must behave.
Explanation at your level:
A regulation is a rule. It is a law that people must follow. For example, a school has a regulation about wearing a uniform. It helps keep things organized.
A regulation is an official rule made by people in charge. Governments make regulations to keep citizens safe. For example, there are regulations about how fast you can drive your car on the street.
In business and government, a regulation is a specific rule that controls how an industry works. Companies must follow these regulations to stay legal. If they break them, they might have to pay a fine.
The term regulation refers to the system of rules that ensures fairness and safety. It often involves oversight, where authorities check that businesses or individuals are following the law. It is a key concept in economics and public policy.
Regulation encompasses the administrative and legal frameworks imposed by governing bodies to maintain order. It is frequently discussed in terms of compliance, oversight, and deregulation, where the tension between free-market activity and public protection is analyzed.
Etymologically derived from the Latin regulare, regulation denotes the imposition of structure upon a system. It is a cornerstone of institutional governance, representing the deliberate attempt to modulate complex social or industrial processes. In discourse, it is often contrasted with laissez-faire approaches, highlighting the philosophical debate regarding the extent of state intervention.
30秒でわかる単語
- A regulation is an official rule.
- It is used to control or direct processes.
- It is common in business and government.
- It is a formal noun.
At its heart, regulation is all about order. Whether it is a government setting laws for clean air or a company setting rules for employee safety, regulations exist to make sure we play by the same set of guidelines.
Think of regulation as the invisible framework that keeps society running smoothly. Without it, things might get chaotic, and it would be hard to know what is safe or fair. When we talk about regulation, we are usually discussing the process of monitoring and enforcing these rules to ensure compliance.
The word regulation comes from the Latin word regulare, which means 'to rule' or 'to direct.' It is closely related to the word regula, meaning 'a straight stick' or 'rule.' Just as a ruler helps you draw a straight line, a regulation helps keep society on the right path.
Over centuries, the word evolved from simply meaning 'to guide' to the more formal legal sense we use today. It became a key term during the Industrial Revolution, when governments realized they needed specific rules to protect workers and consumers from the risks of new technology and large-scale manufacturing.
You will hear regulation most often in news reports, business meetings, and academic discussions. It is a formal word, so you wouldn't usually use it when talking to friends about a casual game of tag.
Commonly, we use verbs like enforce, comply with, or introduce alongside it. For example, a company might struggle to comply with a new environmental regulation, or a government might introduce a regulation to lower taxes.
While regulation itself is a formal noun, it appears in many common phrases. 1. Under regulation: Meaning something is being controlled. 2. Against regulations: Meaning something is forbidden. 3. Strict regulation: Refers to very tight control. 4. Self-regulation: The ability to control your own behavior. 5. Deregulation: The removal of rules, often in business.
Regulation is a countable noun, so you can say 'a regulation' or 'many regulations.' The stress falls on the third syllable: reg-yu-LAY-shun.
In British and American English, the pronunciation is quite similar, though the 'u' sound can vary slightly. It rhymes with words like foundation, sensation, and creation. Remember to use the article 'a' or 'the' before it, as it is a specific type of rule.
Fun Fact
The word comes from the same root as 'regal', meaning royal.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with a short 'e', followed by 'gyoo-lay-shun'.
Similar to UK, clear 'r' sound at the start.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'u' sound as 'oo'.
- Stressing the wrong syllable.
- Dropping the 'shun' ending.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Common in news.
Used in formal essays.
Used in professional settings.
Often heard in media.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable Nouns
A regulation vs. the regulation.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The regulations are strict.
Formal Register
Using 'regulation' instead of 'rule'.
Examples by Level
The school has a new regulation.
School rule
Noun usage
Follow the regulation.
Obey the rule
Imperative
This is a safety regulation.
Safety rule
Adjective + Noun
We read the regulation.
We read the rule
Past tense
Is this a regulation?
Is this a rule?
Interrogative
The regulation is clear.
The rule is easy to understand
Subject + verb
They made a regulation.
They created a rule
Simple past
No, that is not a regulation.
That is not a rule
Negative
The government passed a new regulation.
Safety regulations are very important.
You must follow the office regulation.
The company follows every regulation.
These regulations help the environment.
We need to check the regulation.
The regulation is for our safety.
Is there a regulation for this?
The airline must follow strict safety regulations.
Deregulation has changed the banking industry.
The new regulation affects small businesses.
Compliance with environmental regulation is mandatory.
He studied the impact of the regulation.
The committee proposed a new regulation.
They were fined for violating the regulation.
Local regulations prohibit swimming here.
The government is tightening regulation on tech companies.
Many firms struggle with the burden of over-regulation.
The regulation serves to protect consumer interests.
We need to ensure full compliance with the new regulation.
Proponents argue that the regulation will improve quality.
The regulation was met with criticism from industry leaders.
International regulations govern global trade.
The agency is responsible for the regulation of food safety.
The complexity of the current regulatory framework is daunting.
The debate centers on whether the regulation stifles innovation.
Effective regulation requires constant monitoring and adjustment.
The industry is lobbying for the relaxation of the regulation.
The regulation aims to mitigate systemic risks in the market.
It is a clear case of regulatory capture by the industry.
The agency has the power to enforce the regulation strictly.
The impact of the regulation on competition remains to be seen.
The imposition of such a stringent regulation has sparked controversy.
The state's role in the regulation of the economy is a subject of constant debate.
The regulation acts as a bulwark against corporate malpractice.
Proponents of deregulation argue that the regulation is an unnecessary impediment.
The nuanced application of the regulation requires expert oversight.
The legislative body is reviewing the efficacy of the existing regulation.
The regulation is designed to harmonize standards across borders.
The discourse surrounding the regulation reflects broader societal values.
類義語
反対語
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"red tape"
Excessive bureaucracy or rules.
We had to cut through a lot of red tape to get the permit.
casual"by the book"
Following all rules and regulations strictly.
He always does everything by the book.
neutral"play by the rules"
To behave in a fair and honest way.
You have to play by the rules if you want to succeed.
neutral"bend the rules"
To break a rule slightly.
He bent the rules to help his friend.
casual"off the books"
Not recorded or official.
They paid him off the books.
casual"the letter of the law"
Following the exact wording of a rule.
He followed the letter of the law, even if it was unfair.
formalEasily Confused
Both relate to rules.
Legislation is the process of making laws.
The government passed new legislation.
Both mean a requirement.
Rule is informal/general.
The rule of the game.
Both are guidelines.
Policy is internal to a group.
Company policy.
Both set expectations.
Standard is a level of quality.
Quality standard.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + must + comply with + regulation
All staff must comply with the safety regulation.
The regulation + verb + noun
The regulation protects the consumer.
There is a regulation + infinitive
There is a regulation to prevent pollution.
Subject + is + subject to + regulation
The bank is subject to strict regulation.
The government + introduced + a regulation
The government introduced a new regulation today.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
It is a countable noun.
Regulation is the rule itself.
Regulation is the rule, regulating is the act.
Common typo.
Regulation is usually for legal/formal contexts.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant ruler (regula) measuring the streets.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when discussing professional or legal matters.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'deregulation' is a popular political topic.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'comply with' + regulation.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'LAY' syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for simple home rules.
Did You Know?
The word is related to 'regal' (king).
Study Smart
Read news articles about industries to see it in context.
Build Your Bank
Learn 'compliance' and 'regulatory' together.
Sound Natural
Use 'strict regulation' to sound more advanced.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Regulate: RE-GU-LATE (Rules Give Us Laws And Time Everyday).
Visual Association
A traffic light controlling cars.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Find one regulation in your workplace.
語源
Latin
Original meaning: To rule or direct
文化的な背景
None, but can be a sensitive topic in political debates.
Regulations are often discussed in the context of 'government overreach' in the US.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- comply with regulations
- safety regulation
- follow company policy
In government
- introduce a regulation
- regulatory body
- public policy
In business
- regulatory burden
- industry regulation
- market regulation
In school
- school regulation
- follow the rules
- official policy
Conversation Starters
"Do you think there is too much regulation in business?"
"What is the most important safety regulation you know?"
"Should governments have more or less regulation?"
"How does regulation help the environment?"
"Have you ever had to follow a difficult regulation?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a rule you think is unfair.
Describe a time you had to follow a strict regulation.
Why do we need regulations in society?
If you were a leader, what regulation would you create?
よくある質問
8 問Laws are passed by legislatures; regulations are often created by agencies to implement laws.
Usually, we use 'rules' for sports, but we say 'regulation time' in games.
reg-yu-LAY-shun.
Yes, you can have one regulation or many regulations.
Regulate.
Regulatory.
It keeps society safe and fair.
Yes, if people feel there is 'too much regulation'.
自分をテスト
The ___ keeps us safe.
Regulation is the rule.
What is a regulation?
It is an official rule.
Regulations are always optional.
Regulations are mandatory.
Word
意味
Matching verbs to meaning.
Standard subject-verb order.
We must ___ with the new regulation.
Comply with is a collocation.
Which is an antonym?
Deregulation is the removal of rules.
Regulation is a verb.
It is a noun.
Adjective usage.
The industry is subject to heavy ___.
Subject to regulation is a common phrase.
スコア： /10
Summary
Regulation is the formal rule that keeps systems organized, safe, and fair.
- A regulation is an official rule.
- It is used to control or direct processes.
- It is common in business and government.
- It is a formal noun.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant ruler (regula) measuring the streets.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it when discussing professional or legal matters.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'deregulation' is a popular political topic.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'comply with' + regulation.
例文
Safety regulations require all workers to wear helmets on the construction site.
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