# regulator

/ˈɹɛɡjəˌɫeɪtɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈɛɡjuːlˌeɪtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/regulator
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. official oversight body

noun · CEFR B2

an official organization that makes sure companies or industries follow the law and treat people fairly.

For teachers: an official body or agency responsible for exercising autonomous authority over some area of human activity in a regulatory or supervisory capacity.

- The banking regulator is investigating why the fees were so high.
- The telecommunications regulator issued a substantial fine after the company failed to meet the minimum service standards outlined in their license.

### 2. mechanical control device

noun · CEFR B2

a piece of equipment that controls the speed, pressure, or temperature of a machine.

For teachers: a mechanical or electronic device used to maintain a constant level of speed, pressure, voltage, or other physical quantities.

- The diver checked her oxygen regulator before jumping into the water.
- A faulty pressure regulator caused the boiler to overheat, triggering an automatic emergency shutdown of the entire heating system.

### 3. genetics

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a gene that controls how other genes work in your body.

For teachers: a gene involved in controlling the expression of one or more other genes by producing a protein that interacts with DNA.

- Scientists found a regulator gene that helps the body fight off certain diseases.
- The study identified a master regulator that coordinates the expression of several enzymes involved in cellular metabolism.

### 4. mathematics

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a special number used in advanced math to describe how certain groups of numbers are spaced.

For teachers: a positive real number that determines the density of the units in Dirichlet's unit theorem within algebraic number theory.

- The professor calculated the regulator of the number field during the lecture.
- Determining the regulator of a high-degree number field remains a computationally intensive task in modern algebraic research.

## Examples

- The banking regulator introduced new rules to prevent another financial crisis.
- The energy regulator fined the utility company for failing to meet its carbon emission targets last year.
- Following the merger, the competition regulator launched an investigation to determine if the new entity would hold an unfair monopoly over the domestic market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.