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

This is a smart analog navigation controller for various actions like jogging, zooming, scrolling, cycling and adjusting settings in software. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

The 17-inch glass spheres housed the motor controllers and were external to the pressure vessel, the Coast Guard said. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2024

Further Reading Sony announces PS5 Pro, a $700 graphical upgrade available Nov. 7 Sony is also releasing DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers with gray shells and colorful PS logo buttons and a gray version of the Switch-esque PlayStation Portal streaming console. —Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 19 Sep. 2024

Transportation Airport security screeners and air-traffic controllers will remain on duty, but new hires and some major infrastructure projects could face delays. —Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 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