Definition of 'rein'

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.

See give free rein to/give full rein to

See to keep a tight rein on

Phrasal verbs:

See rein back

See rein in

More Synonyms of rein

Video: pronunciation of
rein

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

a similar device used to control a very young child

any form or means of control

to take up the reins of government

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

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

Word origin

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

rein in American English

(reɪn )

noun

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

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

verb intransitive

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:

draw rein

give (free) rein to

keep a rein on

Word origin

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

rein in American English

(rein)

noun

1. (often reins)

a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit

any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein

any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint

4. See reins

5. See draw rein

6. See give rein to

transitive verb

to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins

to curb; restrain; control

intransitive verb

to obey the reins

a horse that reins well

10.

to rein a horse or other animal

Derived forms

reinless

adjective

Word origin

[1300–50; (n.) ME rene, reine, raine ‹ OF re(s)ne ‹ VL *retina, n. deriv. of L retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) ME rainen, reinen, deriv. of the n.]

Examples of 'rein' in a sentence
rein

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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.