to remove or reduce the number of government controls on a particular business activity, done to make companies work more effectively and to increase competition:
• After internal US flights were deregulated in 1978, the industry quickly became more competitive.
— deregulated adjective [only before a noun] :
• Competition is intense in the deregulated financial markets.
— deregulation noun [uncountable] :
• The bank industry maintains deregulation has benefited consumers.
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deregulate UK US /ˌdiːˈregjəleɪt/ verb [T] ECONOMICS, POLITICS
► to remove government controls or rules from a business or other activity: »
That state has had success in deregulating its electricity market.
»The explosion in budget air travel began when the industry was deregulated in 1992.
deregulated adjective [before noun]
► »
Things are very different in today's deregulated labour market.
Financial and business terms. 2012.