controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  ˈkän-ˌtrō- 

1

a

: comptroller sense 1

b

: comptroller sense 2

c

: the chief accounting officer of a business enterprise or an institution (such as a college)

2

a

: one that controls or has power or authority to control

air traffic controller

b

: control sense 3a

controllership

kən-ˈtrō-lər-ˌship 

ˈkän-ˌtrō-

noun

Synonyms

• control
• regulator

Examples of controller in a Sentence

the controllers for the video game system seem fairly well designed

Recent Examples on the Web

Two days later, the package containing the controller was delivered to their home. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024

Smaller devices tend to be more fragile, so definitely invest in cases for your little one’s controllers, tablets, laptops, and/or handheld consoles. —Anja Webb, Parents, 14 June 2024

Ground controllers have repeatedly reset the troublesome gyro, only for the erroneous readings to soon reappear. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 5 June 2024

If there is no input from the controller after a certain period of time — for example, if the controller has fallen off the train or tripped — the train will automatically come to a stop. —Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 27 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countreroller, from Anglo-French contreroulur, from contreroule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing controller

• air traffic controller
• forward air controller

Kids Definition

controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər  ˈkän-ˌtrō-lər 

1

: the chief accounting officer of a business or institution

2

: a person who controls

an air traffic controller

3

: control entry 2 sense 3a

Legal Definition

controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər, ˈkän-ˌtrō- 

: comptroller