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

Recent Examples of actuator from the Web

The partnership will further develop a robotic glove that uses leading-edge sensors, actuators, and tendons that are comparable to the nerves, muscles, and tendons in a human hand.

— eric tegler, Ars Technica, "Exoskeletons won’t turn assembly line workers into Iron Man," 20 Nov. 2017
Robotic actuators, which convert electricity into physical motion, are crucial components.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "We Are Getting Closer to Making Robots You Can Eat," 9 Oct. 2017
All the controllers and actuators are capable of handling the car at the limit—a requirement that essentially sent the A8 through two separate development paths.

— bengt halvorson, Car and Driver, "Traffic Jamming: In the 2019 Audi A8, We Let Automated-Driving Tech Take the Wheel," 25 Sep. 2017
Contra the technical prerequisites of artificial intelligence, acting like a computer often involves little more than moving bits of data around, or acting as a controller or actuator.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "You Are Already Living Inside a Computer," 14 Sep. 2017
The company is pursuing more vertical integration of its aircraft manufacturing business, standing up internal operations in areas such as advanced materials, propulsion systems and actuators, which move the flaps on a jet’s wings.

— doug cameron, WSJ, "Boeing Creates New Avionics and Electronics Unit," 31 July 2017
The expanding collection goes mostly unnoticed by the public — sensors, actuators, gauges and other gadgets working behind the scenes.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Foxconn tied to internet of things, a technology that's changing all of our lives — but with risks," 24 Aug. 2017
Work recently finished on a picnic shelter, Lehman said, and all that remains to be done is setting up the actuator for a splash pad, which should be completed this week.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin dedicating new park by Eastside Recreation Center Saturday," 14 Aug. 2017
The company spent more than $1 billion on a new center to build composite wings for its 777X, while ramping up work on propulsion engineering, actuators and other components once handled by suppliers.

— julie johnsson, chicagotribune.com, "Boeing moves into jet controls, setting up supplier showdown," 1 Aug. 2017

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.