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 of controller

• regulator
• control

Examples of controller in a Sentence

the controllers for the video game system seem fairly well designed

Recent Examples on the Web

Expanding The Reach Of Albion Online Moving Albion Online onto Xbox consoles is a logical next step in Sandbox Interactive’s platform strategy with optimized with controller navigation, UI adaptations, and console-specific features, further pushes that evolution. —David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Mike Sauer, Entegris’ VP, controller and chief accounting officer, will assume the role of interim CFO, in addition to maintaining the responsibilities of his current role. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

The nationwide shortage of controllers came into stark focus during the recent government shutdown, when many federal workers’ paychecks were halted. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

But for how extensively Sucesso’s style has been technologically determined by his controllers, he’s made remarkably vibrant use of the palette available to him. —Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026

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