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 regulator on Wednesday said it wants to leave shareholder proposal regulation up to state law, adding it doesn’t have the authority to determine whether a matter is appropriate for shareholder voting.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

The FF3C group of independent petrol stations lodged a complaint in mid-July with France's competition regulator for unfair competition.

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

Nandy has also taken aim at "incredibly slow" progress with enforcement of the Online Safety Act, the government's flagship law to tackle online abuse, as she called for regulator Ofcom to move faster.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Dr Tony Onon said the regulator had since changed its approach to assessments.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Upon reaching the Balcony, however, he jettisoned the pack and gave his oxygen canister, mask, and regulator to Beidleman to carry for him.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

There is also uncertainty around how regulators might treat agentic payments down the road.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

On Tuesday, the Thirlwall Inquiry report revealed bosses at the Countess of Chester Hospital repeatedly failed in their duty of candour to parents, investigators and regulators.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

Thirlwall found hospital bosses "repeatedly failed in the duty of candour with parents, investigators and regulators".

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

Nashville regulators voted to rename the local airport in honor of Dolly Parton.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026

As darkness enveloped the camp, our guides handed out oxygen canisters, regulators, and masks to everyone: for the remainder of the climb we would be breathing compressed gas.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• manager