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

• control
• regulator

Examples of controller in a Sentence

the controllers for the video game system seem fairly well designed

Recent Examples on the Web

Snake Eater unsurprisingly features full gamepad support for DualShock and Xbox controllers. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 27 May 2025

For the data driven, the controller also displays live riding metrics on its 2.4-inch screen such as speed, distance to shore and session duration. —Paul Ridden may 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2025

However, using artificial intelligence and other technology to ease the controllers' burden could actually make the system safer. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 23 May 2025

That knob on the front - the Dial Master rotary controller, to give it its official moniker - can be used for adjusting the volume of your TV or AV system, or changing the temperature in precise 1-step increments. —Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 22 May 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