# regulatory

/ˈɹɛɡjəɫəˌtɔɹi/ (US) · /ɹˌɛɡjuːlˈeɪtəɹˌi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regulatory
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

relating to official rules and the people who make them. You use this to describe things that control how a business or activity must behave.

For teachers: relating to the management or control of an activity, process, or industry by a set of rules or laws. Often used in legal, financial, or governmental contexts.

## Examples

- The company must follow all regulatory requirements.
- The bank faced heavy fines after failing to meet the new regulatory standards for data protection.
- Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of international trade requires a deep understanding of both local statutes and global treaties to avoid costly litigation.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the noun it modifies; frequently collocates with 'body', 'framework', or 'compliance'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.