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

What To Know The launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but SpaceX called it off after mission controllers were unable to solve a hydraulic issue with a clamp arm that holds the rocket before takeoff. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

Thunderbolt 5 support is provided by a separate controller chip outside of the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. —Ars Technica, 11 Mar. 2025

Last month, the FAA doubled down by increasing controller pay for providing OJT and by resetting an expectation of 12 to 18 OJT hours per week for developmental controllers. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025

After landing, Intuitive Machines expects a 15-second confirmation period for mission controllers to complete final checkouts. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 6 Mar. 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

Rhymes for controller

• bipolar
• comptroller
• dipolar
• gaoler
• nonpolar
• premolar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar
• circumpolar
• equimolar
• monopolar

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