Illustration of rein
- R rein 1
1
: a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal
—usually used in plural
2
a
: 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
reined; reining; reins
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
: to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins
2
archaic
: to submit to the use of reins
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 company
Verb
try to rein in your spending, so you have some money left for saving
Recent Examples on the Web
EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Shortly after the deal, Jung handed over the reins of the company to Baek Seung-han, the company’s chairman and CEO, to position it better for overseas growth leveraging Bain Capital’s global network.
—John Kang, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Her current goals include learning team roping and competing in ranch riding/reining shows.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The 46-year-old stand-up star will take over the reins from father-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy, who helmed last September’s ceremony.
—EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Shortly after the deal, Jung handed over the reins of the company to Baek Seung-han, the company’s chairman and CEO, to position it better for overseas growth leveraging Bain Capital’s global network.
—John Kang, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
This one — initially propelled by anger at Trump and the Republicans’ approach to health care and gun violence — savages Trump nightly, leading the president to make calls to Disney in 2018, urging it to rein him in.
—Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Her current goals include learning team roping and competing in ranch riding/reining shows.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rein
Cite this Entry
“Rein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rein. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rein
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or strap fastened to a bit on each side for controlling an animal (as a horse)
—usually used in plural
2
a
: an influence that slows, limits, or holds back
kept the child under a tight rein
b
: controlling or guiding power
—usually used in plural
seized the reins of government
3
: complete freedom : scope
gave full rein to her imagination
rein
2 of 2 verb
: to check, control, or stop by or as if by reins
reined in the horse
couldn't rein his impatience
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share