Standard Lemma guide

self-regulating

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Able to control itself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The motor was self-regulating, until the governor broke and it suddenly raced out of control.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Of an organization, establishing standards for itself rather than having them legislated for it by government.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Lawyers are self-regulating through the bar association, which sets standards and imposes penalties.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

designed to activate or move or regulate itself

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a self-activating sprinkler system

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: self-acting, self-activating, self-moving

Antonyms: none provided

History

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.