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

But now, thanks to AI voice emulators all over the internet, almost anyone online can commit audio fraud in minutes (and no, that sentence is clearly not encouragement to do so). —New Atlas, 15 Nov. 2025

The quickest route to get to know more Mario lore is to play the games — pick up a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, which will grant access to the essentials with emulators of NES, Game Boy, SNES, Nintendo 64, and more. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025

More than 60 emulators are included along with thousands of games from systems like NES, SNES, PlayStation, and Sega Genesis. —Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025

This emulator can also account for how predictions will shift if parameters are merely tweaked by tiny amounts. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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