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Definition of 'rein'

Word Frequency

rein

(reɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense reins , present participle reining , past tense, past participle reined

1. plural noun

Reins are the thin leather straps attached round a horse's neck which are used to control the horse.

2. plural noun

Journalists sometimes use the expression the reins or the reins of power to refer to the control of a country or organization.

He was determined to see the party keep a hold on the reins of power.

3.

See give free rein to/give full rein to

4.

See to keep a tight rein on

Phrasal verbs:

See rein in

More Synonyms of rein

COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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rein

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'Tack and equipment and their parts'

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Word Frequency

rein in British English

(reɪn )

noun

1. (often plural)

one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer

2.

a similar device used to control a very young child

3.

any form or means of control

to take up the reins of government

4.

the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left (or right) rein, change the rein)

5.

something that restrains, controls, or guides

6. give free rein

7. keep a tight rein on

8. on a long rein

9. shorten the reins

verb

10. (transitive)

to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins

11.

to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins

they reined left

▶ USAGE See note at reign

Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Word origin

C13: from Old French resne, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold; see restrain

Word Frequency

rein in American English

(reɪn )

noun

1.

a narrow strap of leather attached to each end of the bit in the mouth of a horse, and held by the rider or driver to control the animal

usually used in pl.

2. [pl.]

a means of guiding, controlling, checking, or restraining

the reins of government

verb transitive

3.

to guide, control, check, or restrain with or as with reins

verb intransitive

4.

to stop or slow down a horse, etc. with or as with reins

with in or up

5. Archaic

to submit to or be controlled by reins

said of a horse

Idioms:

give (free) rein to

Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.

Word origin

ME rene < OFr resne < VL *retina < L retinere: see retain

Examples of 'rein' in a sentence
rein

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…

Now it sounds as if ministers are beginning to tire of this tight rein.But the 50-year-old left without anyone having been appointed to take the reins.This gives a free rein to prejudice and inconsistency where the outcome can be as serious to a plaintiff as a judgment in a civil court.Tank units evolved from the cavalry regiments and the controls are like the reins of a horse.My parents gave me a lot of freedom and a long rein.Now it is rein back hard on lending to save the bank and your job.He gives me free rein to let fly.The planners keep a tight rein on building work.The group was keeping a tight rein on costs.You just need to let her take the reins.

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Word lists with
rein

Tack and equipment and their parts

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

-

Score: 0 / 5

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

either of the two straps of a bridle that join the bit to the crownpiece

cheek-piece horseshoe rein

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

a fetter or shackle, esp one used in teaching a horse to amble

cavesson rein trammel

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

a metal mouthpiece, for controlling a horse on a bridle

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

another name for stirrup

curb chain stirrup stirrup iron

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

the flaps on a saddle that protect a rider's legs

crupper horseshoe skirt

Your score:

More idioms containing
rein

give someone free rein

keep a tight rein on someone or something

Trends of
rein

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Nearby words of
rein

Related terms of
rein

Source

Definition of rein from theCollins English Dictionary

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Quick word challenge

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Question: 1

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place or plaice?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

plaice

place

I ordered a fillet of with rice and vegetables.

pedal or peddle?

Which version is correct?

He attempted to pedal his paintings around small London galleries. He attempted to peddle his paintings around small London galleries.

altar or alter?

Which version is correct?

The priest stood at the altar The priest stood at the alter

bread or bred?

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bread

bred

She made herself some and butter.

sun or son?

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son

sun

He shared a pizza with his .

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Feb 18, 2021

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Silver is a valuable pale-grey metal that is used for making jewellery and ornaments .

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Scrabble score
for 'rein':
4

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

-

Score: 0 / 5

foul or fowl?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

fowl

foul

Carve the into eight pieces.

scene or seen?

Which version is correct?

It's a scene of complete devastation. It's a seen of complete devastation.

gait or gate?

Which version is correct?

He opened the gait and started walking up to the house. He opened the gate and started walking up to the house.

miner or minor?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

miner

minor

I watched as each coal was brought to safety.

manner or manor?

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manner

manor

She smiled again in a friendly .

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