regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tər 

also ˈrā-

1

: one that regulates

2

: regulatory gene

Synonyms of regulator

• controller
• control

Examples of regulator in a Sentence

the voltage regulator will make sure your car's alternator gets the right amount of electricity

Recent Examples on the Web

Terrestrial Energy wants federal regulators to formally confirm that assembling this turbine wing falls outside federal nuclear construction rules. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature could be heading to Europe’s roads sooner rather than later, but German regulators are insisting on a name change. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Britain’s financial regulator has banned a former HSBC banker from the industry over a train-fare fraud that cost a railway operator £5,911, or about $7,800. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

The White House criticized a third Fed governor, Michael Barr, over his involvement as the Fed's top bank regulator in the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in 2023. — Matt Peterson,luke Fountain, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regulator

• growth regulator
• regulator gene

Rhymes for regulator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Medical Definition

regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt-ər 

1

: one that regulates

2

: regulatory gene

Legal Definition

regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tər 

: one (as a government agency) that regulates