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 aviation regulator is permitting the airport to claw back up to £320m through higher airport charges to airlines for each passenger, which is likely to end up being added to ticket prices.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

The former securities regulator and federal prosecutor succeeds Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month, and inherits an 18-agency intelligence community shaken by leadership turnover and staff cuts.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Beijing has outlined new rules in a series of announcements in recent months from the government, central bank, securities regulator and tax authority.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Outright rejections are rare, though in 2021 another U.K. digital bank, Monzo, withdrew an application after the regulator said approval was unlikely.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Then there's the matter of the atmospheric regulator.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Boeing described certification efforts for new 737 MAX and 777 planes as on track with US air regulators.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Investigations conducted by prosecutors and securities regulators often result in no action.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

That’s why regulators around the world, including the notoriously strict European Commission, have cleared the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The deal is expected to close at the end of 2026, subject to approval by Luxfer shareholders and regulators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Virtually no one—be they homeowners, financial institutions, rating agencies, regulators, or investors—anticipated what is occurring.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• manager