# regulator

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹɛɡ.jʊ.leɪ.tə/ · frequency rank #12,668

## Definitions
1. A device that controls or limits something.
2. A device that controls or limits something.
3. A person or group that sets standards of practice, especially regulatory law as sanctioned by statutory law.
4. A very accurate clock, used by clockmakers to measure the timekeeping of each newly made clock.
5. A gene involved in controlling the expression of one or more other genes.
6. A device that controls the supply of steam to the cylinders of a steam locomotive.
7. Synonym of bulldozer (“member of intimidating group of white US Southerners”).
8. A positive real number determining the density of the units in Dirichlet's unit theorem.
9. Short for diving regulator.

## Etymology
From regulate + -or.

## Easily confused with
- **regulatory** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulator-vs-regulatory)
- **regular** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regular-vs-regulator)
- **regulate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulate-vs-regulator)
- **regulated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulated-vs-regulator)
- **regulates** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulates-vs-regulator)
- **regulation** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regulation-vs-regulator)

## Common misspellings (13)
`ergulator`, `reggulator`, `regluator`, `regualtor`, `regulaotr`, `regulatorr`, `regulatro`, `regulattor`, `regullator`, `regultaor`, `reuglator`, `rgeulator`, `rregulator`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/regulator