regulator

/'regjuleitə/

Thân thiện

The engineer adjusts the regulator to control the steam pressure.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device or mechanism that controls or maintains a specific condition: A "regulator" is a component, often mechanical or electronic, designed to automatically manage and keep a system's parameter (like speed, pressure, temperature, or flow) at a constant or desired level.
   • An official or organization with supervisory authority: A "regulator" is an individual or a government body responsible for overseeing and enforcing rules, standards, and laws within a specific industry or area of public interest.

Examples of Usage

• As a device:
  • The pressure regulator on the gas line ensures a safe, constant flow.
  • A voltage regulator is essential for protecting sensitive electronics from power surges.
• As an official/body:
  • The financial regulator imposed new rules on banking practices.
  • Environmental regulators monitor pollution levels to protect public health.

Advanced Usage

• "To act as a regulator": To function in a controlling or moderating capacity.
  • In this ecosystem, the wolf population acts as a natural regulator for deer numbers.
• "Regulator capture": A theory where a regulatory agency becomes dominated by the interests of the industry it is supposed to regulate.
  • The scandal was a classic case of regulator capture.

Variants and Related Words

• Regulate (verb): To control or maintain the rate or speed of a machine or process; to govern by rule.
• Regulation (noun): A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority; the action of regulating.
• Regulatory (adjective): Serving or intended to regulate something.
  • The company must comply with all regulatory requirements.

Synonyms

• Controller: A person or thing that directs or regulates.
• Governor: A device automatically regulating the supply of fuel, steam, or water to a machine; an official appointed to govern a region.
• Oversight body: An organization responsible for supervising an area of activity.

Related Phrases

• Independent regulator: A regulatory body that operates autonomously from the government and the industries it oversees.
  • An independent regulator is crucial for fair competition in the telecommunications sector.

Related Idioms

• "To turn the regulator": (Context-specific, often in technical settings) To adjust the controlling device.
  • To increase the gas flow, you need to turn the regulator clockwise.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)
2. an official responsible for control and supervision of a particular activity or area of public interest
3. any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.

Từ đồng nghĩa

• governor