regulator

American  

[reg-yuh-lay-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 full process, including thawing and embryo transfer, can cost £7,000-£8,000, according to UK regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

The European Union's central data regulator on Tuesday said smart glasses should give "clear warnings" when they are recording, after a public outcry in recent months over secretly filmed footage of girls and women.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

“I think any charity regulator would be very concerned about that expense,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

The SLC7A11 transporter appears to be an important regulator of this process.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

After the expedition, Neal Beidleman pointed out that if Andy’s regulator had become fouled with ice, the gauge might have registered empty even though the canisters were full, which would explain his bizarre obstinacy.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

US regulators have published a consent order requiring Bank of America to work with a third party to identify and report suspicious transactions that went undetected.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Albertsons accused Kroger leaders of making “lowball offers” to federal regulators to largely keep the most-profitable stores in the combined company, and hive off the weaker-performing ones, according to a court filing unsealed Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

But California regulators certified a union representing Uber and Lyft drivers last month, marking a milestone in a years-long fight by gig workers in the state.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Martin Shkreli, a former hedge-fund manager known as “Pharma Bro,” is back in the crosshairs of U.S. regulators for influencing biopharma stocks even though he is banned from being involved with the industry.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 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