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

In both cases, regulators zeroed in on specific overlaps — in channels, sports rights, or cable bundling — but seemed unconcerned by broader fears of studio consolidation, theatrical releases or streaming dominance. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Dec. 2025

In November, voters elected two upstart candidates to the state utility regulator by overwhelming margins. —Justin Worland, Time, 12 Dec. 2025

The lawsuit also accuses the department of filing misleading reports to state regulators that suggested the shots came from a barricaded suspect rather than from Baker. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Companies that embrace these new approaches to governance will be able to build trust, both internally and with regulators, by making accountability transparent even when machines may be executing. —François Candelon, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

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