actuator

noun

ac·tu·a·tor | \ ˈak-chə-ˌwā-tər

, -shə-\

Definition of actuator

: one that actuates specifically : a mechanical device for moving or controlling something

Examples of actuator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Similar to a car's window wipers, these tiny actuators shake loose any bio-organic material that has built up on the devices. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Latest Glaucoma Treatment Could Be Magnets In Your Eyes," 13 Nov. 2018 Anyone can put in an actuator with a button, pretty simple, inexpensive. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "What’s next for virtual assistants like Alexa? Maybe buying stuff for you automatically.," 24 Dec. 2018 At the other end is an actuator arm that's connected to a harmonic drive. — Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, "Variable-compression engine meets crossover: Infiniti QX50 review," 8 Nov. 2018 Sensors and actuators read the amount of pressure a driver inputs, and this force is transferred to all the brakes from the master cylinder using hydraulic fluid. — Zachary Palmer, Popular Mechanics, "Why Brake-By-Wire Is Coming To Your Car," 12 July 2018 The all-wheel drive system links up to the chassis domain controller, and the driveline's integrated actuator lets the car adjust to new road conditions in as little as 150m. — Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, "1,160 miles in 11 days: A grand tour with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio," 15 Aug. 2018 Once the diver selects a setting, an actuator presses on optical fluid. — Lara Sorokanich, Popular Mechanics, "The Underwater Microscope That Can Survive on the Ocean Floor," 12 Sep. 2016 The team claimed that their custom actuators (basically a robot’s muscles) were ten times stronger than competing designs. — James Vincent, The Verge, "Google shuts down bipedal robot team Schaft," 15 Nov. 2018 Without actuators, robots would crumple like rag dolls. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to Robots," 17 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'actuator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.