controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  ˈkän-ˌtrō- 

1

a

: comptroller sense 1

b

: comptroller sense 2

c

: the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise or an institution (such as a college)

2

a

: one that controls or has power or authority to control

air traffic controller

b

: control sense 3a

controllership

kən-ˈtrō-lər-ˌship 

ˈkän-ˌtrō-

noun

Synonyms

• regulator
• control

Examples of controller in a Sentence

the controllers for the video game system seem fairly well designed

Recent Examples on the Web

Without the original console or compatible cables and controllers, these items rarely find a buyer. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025

Using the Joy-Con 2 controller as a mouse works surprisingly well on a couch arm, and the experience is close to a PC except the responsiveness of the controllers is awful at times. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

This is an opportunity to replace your grass with water-efficient landscaping and get a free rain barrel and a chance to win a smart irrigation controller. —Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 11 Sep. 2025

In addition to the latest generation brake-by-wire system, Testarossa is equipped with Ferrari’s ABS Evo controller, which improves braking precision and consistency in all conditions. —Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countreroller, from Anglo-French contreroulur, from contreroule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing controller

• air traffic controller
• forward air controller

Rhymes for controller

• bipolar
• comptroller
• dipolar
• gaoler
• nonpolar
• premolar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar
• circumpolar
• equimolar
• monopolar

Kids Definition

controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  ˈkän-ˌtrō-lər 

1

: the chief accounting officer of a business or institution

2

: a person who controls

an air traffic controller

3

: control entry 2 sense 3a

Legal Definition

controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər, ˈkän-ˌtrō- 

: comptroller