regulator

American  

[reg-yuh-ley-ter] / ˈrɛg jəˌleɪ tər /

noun

regulators plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• regulators
  plural

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

See Examples For:

regulator regulators

The bloc’s regulator said the tech giant may be in breach of its digital rules, opening the door to heavy fines.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

The researchers conclude that tau should be viewed not only as a protein involved in Alzheimer's disease, but also as a fundamental regulator of how the brain organizes, stores, and retrieves lasting memories.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

A private AI regulator likely would have significantly more authority, including making and enforcing binding rules.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

If Acme had not accepted your documentation, you could have notified them in writing that you will contact your state’s insurance regulator, focusing on the evidence rather than the Acme adjuster’s motivations.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

The regulator has to be in the pressurized area and it's too big to fit in the unmodified rover.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Manny Hothi, chief executive of Trust for London, called for regulators to take into account the effect of their markets on people in poverty.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Its director general, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, met cabinet ministers, financial regulators, the head of Nigeria's anti-corruption agency and foreign diplomats.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

But California regulators and consumer watchdogs disagree with AT&T on what constitutes a reliable replacement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Federal regulators are expected to certify Boeing’s BA -0.82%decrease; down pointing triangle second-to-last version of its 737 later this month, marking a significant—albeit belated—milestone for the plane maker.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

It claimed that it had done nothing wrong, that the regulators were being capricious, and announced no special losses on its $20 billion portfolio of subprime loans.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• manager