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

Energy bills for millions of households are expected to rise this winter to the highest level for three years, under a price cap to be announced by the industry regulator on Wednesday.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The capital ratio remains well above the no-less-than-11% of risk-weighted assets that Canada’s banking regulator requires from each of the country’s big banks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

"Therefore, responsibility for the site returned and remains with Wrexham County Council as regulator."

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The regulator has received nearly 500 complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles that had already been serviced under recall, including nearly two dozen that required complete engine replacements.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

The regulator uses 790 watts to constantly reheat air.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

The company is changing how it enforces its site reputation policy within the European Economic Area, to appease regulators and avoid a potentially hefty fine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

“The passage of Senate Bill 1159 is an important step to clarify the law and discourage the use of emerging technologies to falsify public records and mislead regulators in California,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

The decision by eBay marks the latest development in a complex, and deadly, situation that regulators have been trying to address for years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

“The transaction was subject to a full investigation conducted by an outside law firm on behalf of insurance regulators from multiple states,” the statement said, “which identified no irregularities and resulted in no further action.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

The regulators called at all hours, visiting the poorest trapper and wealthiest magistrate alike.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

• manager