rein
noun
\ ˈrān
\
\
Definition of rein
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
—usually used in plural
2a
: a restraining influence : check
kept a tight rein on the proceedings
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural the reins of government
3
: opportunity for unhampered activity or use
gave full rein to her imagination
rein
verb
reined;
reining;
reins
Definition of rein (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to control or direct with or as if with reins
2
: to check or stop by or as if by a pull at the reins
reined in her horse couldn't rein his impatience
1
archaic
: to submit to the use of reins
2
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
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Synonyms for rein
Synonyms: Noun
chair, driver's seat, head, headship, helm
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Examples of rein in a Sentence
Noun
He has people working for him, but he has a tight rein on every part of the process. after the president resigned, the vice president stepped in and took the reins of the companyRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
Participant is led by David Linde, who took the reins in 2015 after a period of struggles that led to a strategic review of the business. — Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, "‘Green Book’ and ‘Roma’ producer Participant gets a makeover as it rides ‘conscious consumer’ wave," 6 Sep. 2019 There have been such tectonic shifts before: times when major groupings of designers seemed to arrive en masse, as opposed to the lone breakthroughs of wunderkind outliers like Yves Saint Laurent, who took the reins at Dior at age 21. — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, "Millennials Are Taking Over Fashion, Too," 5 Sep. 2019 Stankey officially took the reins at WarnerMedia in the summer of 2018, when AT&T's purchase of the company formerly known as Time Warner took effect. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "AT&T makes WarnerMedia boss John Stankey the presumptive successor to its CEO," 3 Sep. 2019 But a change in league, a change in coaching (Bob Meyer, formerly of Walled Lake Central, takes the reins) and lots of newfound depth may put the MIAC newcomers above everyone else in the league. — Wright Wilson And Keith Dunlap, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan high school football 2019: Predicting conference winners," 28 Aug. 2019 There isn’t any central organization to take the reins. — National Geographic, "Has the world's deadliest sport become safer? It's complicated.," 21 Aug. 2019 Known as a soft-spoken leader, Diaz took the reins at a time of intense public scrutiny after videos of officers confronting people of color went viral. — Asia Fields, The Seattle Times, "Former Seattle Police Chief John Diaz appointed as director of King County jails," 21 Aug. 2019 Junior Jackson Kuhn, who threw for 238 yards in relief of Thompson against Winton Woods, will take over the reins and will be looking for 6-foot-3 target Ross Parrish. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Eastern Cincinnati Conference football improving year by year," 21 Aug. 2019 Harpstead, the president and CEO of Lutheran Social Service, will take the reins at the agency Sept. 3. — Ryan Faircloth, Twin Cities, "Retaliation, overpayments and ‘unconscionable arrogance’: DHS issues come into view at MN Senate hearing," 13 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Adding to Americans’ sense of astonishment, the legislators showed evidence of putting their country before party in an effort to rein in the actions of a reckless leader who had not garnered the majority of his nation’s votes. — Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker, "Americans Shocked by Spectacle of Legislative Body Taking Action," 4 Sep. 2019 In 2017, in an effort to rein in high blood pressure, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology lowered the threshold for what's considered to be high blood pressure, from 140/90 mm/Hg to 130/80 mm/Hg. — NBC News, "Uncontrolled high blood pressure is cutting into heart disease progress," 27 Aug. 2019 The congressmen feared all this effort to rein in platforms would end up hindering such companies from moderating content altogether. — Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, "No Law Can Ban White Supremacy From the Internet," 9 Aug. 2019 The fine is just the latest swipe at US tech firms for Vestager, who has become well-known for her efforts to rein in the power of big tech. — Gregory Barber, WIRED, "While Washington Talks Antitrust, Europe Takes Action," 18 July 2019 Chinese economic growth has slowed since the government clamped down on bank lending last year as part of an effort to rein in surging debt. — Marley Jay, The Seattle Times, "Stocks surge as Powell hints at slower interest rate hikes," 28 Nov. 2018 Social conventions of tolerance, restraint, and integrity reined in the worst of these actors. — Matt Shapiro, National Review, "Conservatives Need More Than Courage," 28 Aug. 2019 Pukki has accounted for all four of Norwich’s goals, with coach Daniel Farke showing no inclination to rein in his side’s forward-style of play in a 4-2-3-1 set-up. — Si Wire, SI.com, "Chelsea vs. Norwich City Live Stream, TV Channel: Watch Premier League Online," 24 Aug. 2019 The General Assembly, hoping to rein in drug costs, passed legislation to create a drug affordability board that would cap the costs of certain prescription drugs when purchased by state and local government employers. — Ovetta Wiggins, Washington Post, "The nation’s first drug affordability board is set up in Maryland, but it has no money," 22 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rein.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for rein
rein
noun
English Language Learners Definition of rein
: a strap that is fastened to a device (called a bridle) placed on the head of an animal (such as a horse) and that is used to guide and control the animal
: the ability to limit or control something
: the power to guide or control someone or something
See the full definition for rein in the English Language Learners Dictionary
rein
noun
\ ˈrān
\
\
Kids Definition of rein
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a line or strap that is attached at either end of the bit of a bridle and is used to control an animal
—usually used in pl.
2
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
The parents kept their child under a tight rein.
3
: controlling or guiding power
the reins of government
rein
verb
reined;
reining
Kids Definition of rein (Entry 2 of 2)