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

There is growing pressure to treat the state as the primary regulator of the AI revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The regulator called into question the credibility of a whistleblower account and the strength of the evidence its attorneys had collected.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

Receiving your bill every quarter, rather paying a monthly direct debit, is typically about £140 a year more expensive, says regulator Ofgem.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

China’s market regulator fined seven e-commerce and food-delivery platforms in April, including Pinduoduo, Meituan, JD.com, and Douyin.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

The idea is for the freezing return air from the regulator to pass through the water as a bunch of little bubbles.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• manager