Dictionary

self-regulating en · ADJ

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English regulating English self-regulating From self- + regulating.

Meanings

1. Able to control itself.
   • The motor was self-regulating, until the governor broke and it suddenly raced out of control.
2. Of an organization, establishing standards for itself rather than having them legislated for it by government.
   • Lawyers are self-regulating through the bar association, which sets standards and imposes penalties.

Forms