- 1[countable, usually plural] a long narrow leather band that is attached to a metal bar in a horse’s mouth (= a bit) and is held by the rider in order to control the horse She pulled gently on the reins. Wordfinderhorsebridle, gallop, harness, horse, paddock, rein, stable, stirrup, tack, thoroughbred Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + reinhold, gather, gather up, … prepositionon a rein phrasesgive free rein to something, give full rein to something See full entry See related entries: Equine sports
- 2reins [plural] (British English) strips of leather, etc. worn by a small child and held by an adult in order to stop the child from walking off and getting lost
- 3the reins [plural] the state of being in control or the leader of something It was time to hand over the reins of power (= to give control to somebody else). The vice-president was forced to take up the reins of office. Oxford Collocations Dictionary verb + the reinshold, grasp, seize, … phrasesthe reins of government, the reins of office, the reins of power, … See full entry Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French rene, based on Latin retinere ‘retain’.Extra examples He seized the reins of power. It’s the Treasury that effectively holds the reins. It’s the accountants who effectively hold the reins. Parents need to loosen the reins as the child grows. Sean gathered up the horse’s reins. She had the horse on a long rein. She pulled sharply on the reins. He took the reins and walked the horse down the street. She jerked the reins and put the pony into a trot. Shorten your reins and lean forward more.Idioms
give/allow somebody/something free/full rein, give/allow free/full rein to something jump to other results
to control somebody/something carefully or strictly It’s essential to keep a tight rein on public spending.
Check pronunciation: rein
