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

Intriguingly, the patent suggests that the mouse mode might work when the controller is hovering up to 1 cm above the flat surface being used, which would put it at the higher end of usable lift-off distances used in PC gaming mice. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2025

That controller was handling both helicopters and airplanes. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025

Tranter brings serious industry muscle to the role, having previously served as BBC’s controller of drama and fiction before launching BBC Worldwide Productions in Los Angeles. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025

Five current and former controllers told the outlet that the controller in the tower should have more proactively directed the helicopter and the plane to fly away from each other. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

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