rein
rein Lexical Profile
rein Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The power to direct, restrain, or control a situation, organization, or activity (often used in the plural).
"After the founder retired, the new chief executive took over the reins of the company."
A long, narrow strap attached to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs by a rider or driver to guide and control the animal.
"The rider gently pulled on the left rein to guide the mare around the fallen branch."
Freedom to act, express oneself, or make decisions without restriction (chiefly in the phrase 'free rein').
"The director gave the set designers free rein to reimagine the stage layout."
• verb
To keep under control, restrain, or limit (usually followed by 'in' or 'back').
"The committee decided to rein in spending until the quarterly budget was approved."
To check, guide, or halt a horse by pulling on its reins.
"She reined her horse to a halt at the edge of the shallow stream."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'rein' (a strap used to control a horse, as in 'free rein' or 'rein in') with its homophones 'reign' (royal rule or sovereignty) and 'rain' (precipitation).
• Rhymes for rein
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Old French 'rene', ultimately derived from Vulgar Latin '*retināre' and Latin 'retinēre' ('to hold back, restrain'), from 're-' ('back') and 'tenēre' ('to hold').