<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Often a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.</li><li>Any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.</li><li>Any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.</li><li>Reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>To check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.</li><li>To curb; restrain; control.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>To obey the reins: a horse that reins well.</li><li>To rein a horse or other animal.</li></ul>