regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tər 

also ˈrā-

1

: one that regulates

2

: regulatory gene

Synonyms of regulator

• controller
• control

Examples of regulator in a Sentence

the voltage regulator will make sure your car's alternator gets the right amount of electricity

Recent Examples on the Web

While Eli Lilly is hoping that regulators and law enforcement will take more action against companies claiming to sell retatrutide, some are increasingly doing so in the open, with apparently few if any consequences. — Daniel Gilbert, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Abbott gave state regulators until July 17 to inform his office of the actions taken under current law, identify the limits the law places on the issues and recommend legislative proposals necessary to implement these objectives. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

As a result, Bischof recommended utilities, beyond AEP, like DTE Energy (DTE), Alliant Energy (LNT), and Evergy (EVRG), as companies situated in regions where there is a strong alignment between regulators and communities over the data center boom. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

On Monday, August 10, Ofcom, the UK media regulator, released a report on the incident, concluding that the station had violated two rules of the Broadcasting Code. — Blanche Marcel, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing regulator

• growth regulator
• regulator gene

Rhymes for regulator

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

Medical Definition

regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈreg-yə-ˌlāt-ər 

1

: one that regulates

2

: regulatory gene

Legal Definition

regulator

noun

reg·​u·​la·​tor ˈre-gyə-ˌlā-tər 

: one (as a government agency) that regulates