regulator

/ˌrɛgjəˈleɪdər/

/ˈrɛgjəleɪtə/

Other forms: regulators

A regulator is a device that maintains a certain state in a system or machine. Scuba divers use a special diving regulator that keeps the gas pressure steady so they can breathe while underwater.

The job of a regulator is to regulate, or control. In a mechanical sense, this means keeping things like power, pressure, speed, or temperature at a steady, regular level. If a person has the job title of regulator, they’re a government official who’s responsible for upholding standards (or regulations) meant to protect the public. A regulator might inspect food, for example, to make sure it’s safe to eat. The Latin root, regula, means "rule."

Definitions of regulator

1. noun

   any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
   types:

   aperture

   a device that controls amount of light admitted

   ball cock, ballcock

   floating ball that controls level in a water tank

   draft

   a regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace

   faucet, spigot

   a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir

   peg

   regulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument

   petcock

   regulator consisting of a small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression or draining

   register

   a regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating device

   escape, escape cock, escape valve, relief valve, safety valve

   a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level

   floodgate, head gate, penstock, sluice valve, sluicegate, water gate

   regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice

   thermoregulator, thermostat

   a regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat

   cryostat

   a thermostat that operates at very low temperatures

   mixing faucet

   single faucet for separate hot and cold water pipes

   pyrostat

   a thermostat that operates at very high temperatures

   cock, stopcock, turncock

   faucet consisting of a rotating device for regulating flow of a liquid

   hydrant, tap, water faucet, water tap

   a faucet for drawing water from a pipe or cask

   type of:

   control, controller

   a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine
2. noun

   a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)
   synonyms: governor

   types:

   flywheel

   regulator consisting of a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engine

   timer

   a regulator that activates or deactivates a mechanism at set times

   fluid flywheel

   a kind of fluid coupling in which the flywheel is the driving rotor

   type of:

   control, controller

   a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine
3. noun

   an official responsible for control and supervision of a particular activity or area of public interest
   type of:

   functionary, official

   a worker who holds or is invested with an office