regulator

American  

[reg-yuh-ley-ter] / ˈrɛg yəˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that regulates.

2. Horology.

   1. an adjustable device in a clock or a watch for making it go faster or slower.

   2. a master clock, usually of great accuracy, against which other clocks are checked.

3. Machinery.

   1. a governor mechanism for regulating the flow of fuel, steam, etc., to an engine in order to maintain constant speed under varying load or resistance.

   2. a valve for regulating the pressure of flowing gas or liquid to maintain a predetermined pressure.

   3. any of various mechanisms for maintaining a temperature, a level of liquid in a tank, etc.

4. Electricity.  a device for maintaining a designated characteristic, as voltage or current, at a predetermined value, or for varying it according to a predetermined plan.

5. a device on scuba equipment for regulating the rate at which compressed air is fed through a breathing tube in proportion to the depth of water.

6. a device for maintaining a constant gas pressure.

7. (initial capital letter)

   1. a member of any of several bands or committees in North Carolina (1767–71), formed to resist certain abuses, as extortion by officials.

   2. (in newly settled areas) a member of any band or committee organized to preserve order before the establishment of regular legal authority.

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regulator British  

/ ˈrɛɡjʊˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that regulates

2. the mechanism, including the hairspring and the balance wheel, by which the speed of a timepiece is regulated

3. a timepiece, known to be accurate, by which others are timed and regulated

4. any of various mechanisms or devices, such as a governor valve, for controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, voltage, etc

5. Also called: regulator gene.  a gene the product of which controls the synthesis of a product from another gene

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Etymology

Origin of regulator

First recorded in 1645–55; regulate + -or ²

Example Sentences

Shares of vaccine makers fell Monday after the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine regulator said in an internal memo that the agency would introduce stricter vaccine approval rules.

From Barron's

In response, regulators issued an emergency directive to update the software, which led to cancellations and delays at airlines across the globe over the weekend.

From The Wall Street Journal

Plans to ban passengers from a peak train service between Manchester and London have been abandoned after a U-turn by the government's rail safety regulator.

From BBC

It pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges in the U.S. and Switzerland’s financial regulator put curbs on it making new loans in corruption-prone countries.

From The Wall Street Journal

It says "regulators and industry need to work together in setting transition periods" to bring alternatives to market.

From BBC

Related Words

• manager