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

Explanation

A regulator is a device that maintains a certain state in a system or machine. Scuba divers use a special diving regulator that keeps the gas pressure steady so they can breathe while underwater. The job of a regulator is to regulate, or control. In a mechanical sense, this means keeping things like power, pressure, speed, or temperature at a steady, regular level. If a person has the job title of regulator, they’re a government official who’s responsible for upholding standards (or regulations) meant to protect the public. A regulator might inspect food, for example, to make sure it’s safe to eat. The Latin root, regula, means "rule."

Example Sentences

The fine was issued by the Office for Students, the regulator of England's universities, over the university's trans and non-binary inclusion policy which it said had a "chilling" effect on free speech.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“The fact is that no health regulator anywhere in the world has ever found glyphosate to pose a threat to human health,” the company said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

The Charity Commission, the regulator for charities in the UK, confirmed it had received an application to register an organisation called Capital Pride London C.I.O as a charity.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Separately, Hong Kong’s accounting regulator on Thursday levied a HK$300 million penalty on PwC and fined two former partners HK$5 million each.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Then there's the matter of the atmospheric regulator.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• manager