Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Regulate \Reg"u*late\ (-l[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Regulated}
   (-l[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Regulating}.] [L.
   regulatus, p. p. of regulare, fr. regula. See {Regular}.]
   1. To adjust by rule, method, or established mode; to direct
      by rule or restriction; to subject to governing principles
      or laws.

            The laws which regulate the successions of the
            seasons. --Macaulay.

            The herdsmen near the frontier adjudicated their own
            disputes, and regulated their own police.
                                                  --Bancroft.

   2. To put in good order; as, to regulate the disordered state
      of a nation or its finances.

   3. To adjust, or maintain, with respect to a desired rate,
      degree, or condition; as, to regulate the temperature of a
      room, the pressure of steam, the speed of a machine, etc.

   {To regulate a watch} or {clock}, to adjust its rate of
      running so that it will keep approximately standard time.

   Syn: To adjust; dispose; methodize; arrange; direct; order;
        rule; govern.

Source : WordNet®

regulate
     v 1: fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of;
          "regulate the temperature"; "modulate the pitch" [syn: {modulate}]
     2: bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage;
        impose regulations; "We cannot regulate the way people
        dress"; "This town likes to regulate" [syn: {regularize},
        {regularise}, {order}, {govern}] [ant: {deregulate}]
     3: shape or influence; give direction to; "experience often
        determines ability"; "mold public opinion" [syn: {determine},
         {shape}, {mold}, {influence}]
     4: check the emission of (sound) [syn: {baffle}]