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 communications regulator said it uncovered tactics including agents deliberately hanging up calls, and customers being put on hold "for no reason".

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 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

Virgin Media has just been fined £28m by regulator Ofcom for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling contracts.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

The regulator later required a redesign of the engine nacelle—its protective casing—to prevent debris from escaping in the case of a catastrophic failure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

In the end, I'll have the bedroom sealed with the oxygenator and atmospheric regulator inside.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Paramount noted that competition regulators in 24 jurisdictions have already cleared the transaction or allowed their review periods to expire.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

State and local governments, as well as federal regulators, are playing catch-up as autonomous taxis from companies like Alphabet-owned Waymo, Tesla and Amazon.com’s Zoox spread across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

He has also been accused by US regulators of fraud and market manipulation.

From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 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