emulator

noun

em·​u·​la·​tor ˈem-yə-ˌlā-tər 

1

: one that emulates

2

: hardware or software that permits programs written for one computer to be run on another computer

Examples of emulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Keysight Technologies’ acquisition of Spirent Communications (DOJ), involving high speed ethernet testing equipment, network security testing equipment, and radio frequency channel emulators. —Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025

Apple recently approved a new emulator app called UTM SE that enables your iPhone or iPad (or Vision Pro!) to masquerade as PC hardware and run honest-to-goodness computer desktop operating systems. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 22 July 2024

Forget emulators; this feels like the proper way to enjoy retro games. —David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Enthusiasts have been releasing PS3 emulators since the early 2010s, though this is the first time something like this has appeared for smartphones. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 15 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulātor, from aemulārī "to vie with, rival, imitate" + -tor, agent suffix — more at emulate entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for emulator

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