simulator

American  

[sim-yuh-ley-ter] / ˈsɪm yəˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that simulates.

2. a machine for simulating certain environmental and other conditions for purposes of training or experimentation.

   a flight simulator.

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simulator British  

/ ˈsɪmjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. any device or system that simulates specific conditions or the characteristics of a real process or machine for the purposes of research or operator training

   space simulator

2. a person who simulates

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Usage

What does simulator mean? A simulator is a program or machine that simulates a real-life situation, meaning that it creates a virtual version of it, often for the purpose of instruction or experiment, such as a flight simulator.Simulators are frequently used to train people in complicated and often dangerous tasks, such as performing surgery or flying an airplane. Simulators allow them to learn and gain experience in such tasks without the risks. Rarely, the word is also sometimes used to refer to a person who is simulating (faking) an action.Example: This flight simulator allows pilots to become comfortable with the controls without having to do so during an actual flight.

Etymology

Origin of simulator

First recorded in 1825–35, simulator is from the Latin word simulātor imitator, counterfeiter. See simulate, -tor

Example Sentences

And they are starting work with a new wind tunnel and driver-in-the-loop simulator, about which Newey was pretty disparaging last spring.

From BBC

The discovery came from experiments using a quantum simulator cooled to temperatures just above absolute zero.

From Science Daily

Galea built on these findings, inputting the layout of The Station club into a computer simulator he created which predicts how fires spread.

From BBC

Sites that offer both market simulators and real trading say the former can help create customers for the latter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Preventing unwanted heating is one of the biggest challenges facing the development of quantum simulators and quantum computers.

From Science Daily