Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Regulator

Reg′u-laˊtor

(-l?ˊt?r)
,
Noun.
1.
One who, or that which, regulates.
2.
(Mach.)
A contrivance for regulating and controlling motion
,
as:
(a)
The lever or index in a watch, which controls the effective length of the hairspring, and thus regulates the vibrations of the balance.
(b)
The governor of a steam engine.
(c)
A valve for controlling the admission of steam to the steam chest, in a locomotive.
3.
A clock, or other timepiece, used as a standard of correct time. See
Astronomical clock
(a)
, under
Clock
.
4.
A member of a volunteer committee which, in default of the lawful authority, undertakes to preserve order and prevent crimes; also, sometimes, one of a band organized for the comission of violent crimes.
[U.S.]
A few stood neutral, or declared in favor of the
Regulators
.
Bancroft.

Webster 1828 Edition


Regulator

REG'ULATOR

, n.
1.
One who regulates.
2.
The small spring of a watch, which regulates its motions by retarding or accelerating them.
3.
Any part of a machine which regulates its movements.

Definition 2024


regulator

regulator

See also: regulátor

English

Noun

regulator (plural regulators)

  1. A device that controls or limits something.
    The voltage regulator stopped working and the resulting overload destroyed the device.
  2. A person or group that sets standards of practice, especially those established by law.
  3. A very accurate clock, used by clockmakers to measure the timekeeping of each newly made clock.
  4. (genetics) A gene involved in controlling the expression of one or more other genes.
  5. (rail transport) A device that controls the supply of steam to the cylinders of a steam locomotive.

Derived terms

  • voltage regulator
  • battery regulator

Related terms

Translations


Latin

Verb

rēgulātor

  1. second-person singular future passive imperative of rēgulō
  2. third-person singular future passive imperative of rēgulō