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

The regulator was also found to have taken a flawed approach to deciding what was academic freedom.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

"Unlike for those who use gas and electricity for their domestic fuel, prices for households using oil are not capped by regulator Ofgem," Wilcox said.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“The fact is that no health regulator anywhere in the world has ever found glyphosate to pose a threat to human health,” the company said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Separately, Hong Kong’s accounting regulator on Thursday levied a HK$300 million penalty on PwC and fined two former partners HK$5 million each.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Of course, if the atmospheric regulator or oxygenator have problems, I'll need to cut into the bedroom to get to them.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• manager