emulator

noun

em·​u·​la·​tor ˈem-yə-ˌlā-tər 

1

: one that emulates

2

: hardware or software that permits programs written for one computer to be run on another computer

Examples of emulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The developer of the Zluda project, a CUDA emulator, has released a new version that gives AMD GPUs a big boost in PhysX performance. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

Some sites also have extras like a dedicated lounge, retro video game emulators, and conference rooms. — Anthony Karcz, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

But Microsoft has now spent years getting Windows and its Prism emulator ready for Qualcomm and now Nvidia chips, and Nvidia claims its own graphics and AI chops will take the idea further than ever before. — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 1 June 2026

The Pistil plugin bundles Orchid’s synth emulators into a format that can live inside any digital audio workstation and launches with 10 new sounds and discounted pricing for existing hardware owners. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulātor, from aemulārī "to vie with, rival, imitate" + -tor, agent suffix — more at emulate entry 1

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for emulator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator