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

Perfect for gamers and those who've never picked up a controller alike, this inventive and very meta story follows a pair of friends who borrow money, beg favors, and create their first blockbuster video game before graduation even arrives. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

Schwartz also previously served as Opendoor’s interim CFO from December 2022 to November 2024, and has also served as chief accounting officer, and VP and corporate controller. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025

Apollo 13 is the story of astronauts, engineers and flight controllers working in concert to solve an impossible crisis. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025

Powering everything is a custom 750W Bafang rear hub motor paired with a 48V/22A controller. —New Atlas, 18 Dec. 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