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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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French Translation of

'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. See give free rein

7. See keep a tight rein on

8. See on a long rein

9. See 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?

the strap of a horse's bridle that goes across the forehead

browband crownpiece horseshoe

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

a stiff brush used for grooming a horse

dandy brush halter surcingle

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 bridle with four reins coming from a bit with two rings on each side

double bridle martingale pelham

Which piece of tack or equipment am I?

a metal mouthpiece, for controlling a horse on a bridle

Your score:

More idioms containing
rein

give someone free rein

keep a tight rein on someone or something

COBUILD Collocations
rein

seize the reins

tighten the reins

Trends of
rein

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rein

Related terms of
rein

Source

Definition of rein from the Collins English Dictionary

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Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

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Score: 0 / 5

allowed or aloud?

Which version is correct?

The children are not allowed to watch violent TV programmes. The children are not aloud to watch violent TV programmes.

role or roll?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

role

roll

Both sides have a to play.

broach or brooch?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

brooch

broach

They both wore large emerald es.

born or borne?

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borne

born

The injured were away in ambulances.

poor or pore?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

poor

pore

I feel sorry for the child.

Your score:

Jun 10, 2021

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blue-water

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Scrabble score
for 'rein':
4

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

-

Score: 0 / 5

chilli or chilly?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

chilly

chilli

It was a afternoon.

spoke or spoken?

Which version is correct?

We had spoke about something like this happening. We had spoken about something like this happening.

pain or pane?

Which version is correct?

I felt a sharp pain in my back. I felt a sharp pane in my back.

mail or male?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

male

mail

Most of the people in the audience were .

flea or flee?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

flea

flee

The disease spread from rats to humans by bites.

Your score:

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