regulator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Technical, Business, Academic
Quick answer
What does “regulator” mean?
A person, organisation, or device that controls, directs, or maintains a system, activity, or mechanism according to a set of rules or standards.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, organisation, or device that controls, directs, or maintains a system, activity, or mechanism according to a set of rules or standards.
Often refers specifically to an official government agency that supervises a particular industry or area of public life (e.g., a financial regulator). Can also denote a component in a machine that controls speed, pressure, temperature, etc.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Usage is identical in professional and technical contexts. Spelling differences are irrelevant for this noun.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is neutral to formal. In political discourse, it can carry negative connotations (e.g., 'burdensome regulator') for those advocating less government intervention.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects, with high frequency in business, news, and technical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “regulator” in a Sentence
regulator of [industry/system]regulator for [sector/activity]regulator appointed by [body][body] acting as a regulatorVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The financial regulator announced stricter capital requirements for banks.
Academic
Gene expression is controlled by a complex network of transcriptional regulators.
Everyday
I need to adjust the pressure regulator on my camping stove.
Technical
A linear voltage regulator provides a stable DC output from a higher, variable input.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regulator”
- Using 'regulator' as a verb (the verb is 'regulate').
- Confusing 'regulator' with 'regulatory' (adjective). E.g., 'regulatory framework' not 'regulator framework'.
- Misspelling as 'regulater'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While common for official bodies (e.g., the Financial Conduct Authority), it also refers to mechanical/electronic devices (e.g., a voltage regulator) and biological entities (e.g., a growth regulator).
'Regulator' is a noun (a person or thing). 'Regulatory' is an adjective describing something related to regulation (e.g., regulatory framework, regulatory body).
Yes. In political or business debates, it can be used pejoratively to imply excessive bureaucratic control and red tape (e.g., 'burdensome regulators').
A common term in political science and economics where a regulatory agency, created to act in the public interest, instead advances the commercial or political concerns of the industry it is charged with regulating.
A person, organisation, or device that controls, directs, or maintains a system, activity, or mechanism according to a set of rules or standards.
Regulator is usually formal, technical, business, academic in register.
Regulator: in British English it is pronounced /ˈreɡ.jʊ.leɪ.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈreɡ.jə.leɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] in the regulator's crosshairs”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REGULATOR making things REGULAR – it controls a system to keep it running smoothly and consistently.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REGULATOR IS A GUARDIAN (protects the public/ensures safety) / A REGULATOR IS A TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICER (directs flow and enforces rules).
Practice
Quiz
In a biological context, a 'regulator' most commonly refers to: