controller

[ kuhn-troh-ler ]

/ kənˈtroʊ lər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for controller on Thesaurus.com

noun

an employee, often an officer, of a business firm who checks expenditures, finances, etc.; comptroller.

a person who regulates, directs, or restrains.

British Aeronautics. a dispatcher.

a regulating mechanism; governor.

Also called control unit, processor .Computers. the key component of a device, as a terminal, printer, or external storage unit, that contains the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute instructions fed into the device.

Digital Technology. a remote piece of hardware used to direct or control an electronic device: a video game controller.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of controller

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English countrollour, from Anglo-French countrero(u)llour, Middle French contrerolleur, equivalent to contrerolle “duplicate roll” + -eur, -our, from Latin -ōr- or -ātōr- noun suffixes; see control, -or², -ator

OTHER WORDS FROM controller

con·trol·ler·ship, noun

Words nearby controller

controlled, controlled experiment, controlled explosion, controlled-release, controlled substance, controller, controlling image, controlling interest, control panel, control point, control rocket

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use controller in a sentence

Padded armrests are important, as controllers usually force your arms to be extended outward.
Best desk chair for any home office|PopSci Commerce Team|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Amid poor weather and low clouds, Zobayan had to get permission from air traffic controllers to pass through airspace with lower visibility than regulations typically allow.
Helicopter pilot flying Kobe Bryant didn’t follow his training when flying into disorienting clouds, federal investigators say|Ian Duncan|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
The brain contains a controller that determines how the robot moves, interpreting sensory information from the environment and translating this into motor controls.
We’re Teaching Robots to Evolve Autonomously—So They Can Adapt to Life Alone on Distant Planets|Emma Hart|February 4, 2021|Singularity Hub
Pre-rendered cinematic scenes have also been upgraded, and controller support has been added to the PC edition.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition 4K remaster coming May 14|Kate Cox|February 2, 2021|Ars Technica

Rather than leaving the scene untouched for safety investigators, a traffic controller at the rail yard told a train operator to move the trains off the track.
Metrorail system still has work to do on safety, board says|Justin George|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
Your controller, however, vibrates heavily with each movement.
I Felt Like Showering After the First-Person Sex in ‘Grand Theft Auto’|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A controller is the least effective way to control the game.
Gamer Life: I’m Addicted to ‘Peggle 2’|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
On the other hand, the Xbox One controller is nearly perfect.
Which Video Game System Is King?|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It started from an already-excellent template (the Xbox 360 controller) and improved on it in almost every way.
Which Video Game System Is King?|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Whenever the motors kick in, a high-pitched whirring sound emanates from the controller, which is a major distraction.
Xbox One Review: Big Brother Is Watching You|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Obeying the urgent appeals of the Food Controller, the littlest boys decided to go into sheep-raising.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
The remarks that they make in hog language about the Food Controller on this farm would not look well in print.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
She also announces that she is food controller for her family and doesn't care a "woof" for regulations that are made at Ottawa.
The Red Cow and Her Friends|Peter McArthur
It is the justification, and ought to be the controller, of all ends, but is not itself the sole end.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
I can remember distinctly that my father was a Controller, Third Class.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley

British Dictionary definitions for controller

controller

/ (kənˈtrəʊlə) /

noun

a person who directs, regulates, or restrains

Also called: comptroller a business executive or government officer who is responsible for financial planning, control, etc

the equipment concerned with controlling the operation of an electrical device

Derived forms of controller

controllership, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

controller

Origin of controller

OTHER WORDS FROM controller

Words nearby controller

Words related to controller

How to use controller in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for controller

Derived forms of controller