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

The infotainment setup strikes a good balance between simplicity and capability, though those who live in touchscreen menus may need time to adjust to the rotary controller. —New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026

Engineers and operators send coordinates and flight plans directly to the drones, with no need for a joystick or controller to manually maneuver the aircraft. —Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026

Beckers started at McDonald’s in April 2024 as SVP of corporate finance, and oversees the corporate controller group, financial planning and analysis, and global tax, treasury and insurance teams. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026

He was inspired to simplify his production setup, using only a laptop and a controller. —Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 5 Feb. 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