ˈɔːd(ɪ)nəns ˈɔɹd(ɪ)nəns ˌɹɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən ˌɹɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən the act of controlling or directing according to rule fiscal regulations are in the hands of politicians the act of bringing to uniformity; making regular prescribed by or according to regulation regulation army equipment a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior it was his rule to take a walk before breakfast short haircuts were the regulation an authoritative command (embryology) the ability of an early embryo to continue normal development after its structure has been somehow damaged or altered the state of being controlled or governed