actuator

noun

ac·​tu·​a·​tor ˈak-chə-ˌwā-tər 

-shə-

: one that actuates

specifically : a mechanical device for moving or controlling something

Examples of actuator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The foils are controlled by actuators and sensors of boat height and speed rather than operating manually. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

Mercedes-Benz Once deployed, the 4K screen provides the visual half of a high-end mobile theater that also stuffs a total of 42 speakers in an immersive Dolby Atmos configuration that includes haptic actuators in the seats. —New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2025

This includes rare-earth magnetics that are used in the rotary actuator that allows the heads to write and read information from tracks of data on the disk surfaces. —Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

This humanoid robot combines advanced vision, audio and actuator systems for cutting-edge AI interaction and teleoperation. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

actuate + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for actuator

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