DictionaryAI

rein

RAYN/ɹeɪn/

Pluralreins

Verbreins, reining, reined

Often confused with reign

7 meanings of rein

Practice

  1. 1
    guiding strapnouncountable
    A strap used to guide and control a horse, another animal, or a small child.

    Pull gently on the left rein to turn the pony.

    Dad held the toddler's reins as they crossed the busy street.

    UsageUsually the reins.

    Note
  2. 2
    nounfigurativelycountable
    A way of holding back or controlling someone or something.

    The teacher gave the students free rein to choose their own topics.

    Our coach keeps a close rein on how late we stay out before games.

    UsageSay free rein (not incorrect: free reign).

    Similarcontrol, check, curb, restraint

    Note
  3. 3
    hold backverbtransitive
    To hold back something, like your feelings, so it stays under control.

    He had to rein in his anger during the meeting.

    The city reined in spending after a bad year.

    UsageUsually rein in: rein in spending.

    Similarcurb, restrain, check, control, contain

    Oppositeunleash, release

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To steer or stop a horse with the reins.

    He reined the pony toward the gate.

    Gently rein the horse to the left.

    UsageSay rein in a horse to slow it.

    Similarguide, steer

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    obey the riderverbintransitive
    To turn or stop when the rider uses the reins.

    This pony reins easily, so it is good for beginners.

    Older horses often rein better than young ones.

    Note
  2. 6
    nounarchaic
    Your deepest feelings, which people long ago thought came from the kidneys.
    I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, reins means a person's inner feelings.
    My reins rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, reins means a person's inner feelings.
    Note
  3. 7
    kidneynounarchaic
    A kidney, or, in the plural, both kidneys.
    He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, reins means kidneys.
    Note

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1–5

From a Latin word meaning "to hold back". It came into English through French.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 6–7

From French words that come from the Latin word rēnēs.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Rein, meaning a kidney, comes from French forms derived from Latin rēnēs. en.wiktionary.org