controller

/kənˈtroʊlər/

/kənˈtrʌʊlə/

Other forms: controllers

The device that's used to operate a tool or machine is a controller. When you play video games, you move your character around on screen using a joystick or controller.

A controller is any object or person that controls something. An air traffic controller is a person who usually works in a control tower at an airport and is in charge of monitoring and directing pilots to make sure planes take off and land safely. Another kind of human controller, also known as a comptroller, is the person in charge of accounting and finances at a business or organization. These controllers have the important job of being in control of the money.

Definitions of controller

1. noun

   a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine
   “the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly”

   synonyms: control

   types:

   cruise control

   control mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speed

   dial

   the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning

   disk controller

   (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive

   governor, regulator

   a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)

   handwheel

   control consisting of a wheel whose rim serves as the handle by which a part is operated

   joystick

   a manual control consisting of a vertical handle that can move freely in two directions; used as an input device to computers or to devices controlled by computers

   regulator

   any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.

   electric switch, electrical switch, switch

   control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

   valve

   control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid

   accelerator, throttle, throttle valve

   a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine

   aperture

   a device that controls amount of light admitted

   ball cock, ballcock

   floating ball that controls level in a water tank

   ball valve

   any valve that checks flow by the seating of a ball

   butterfly valve

   a valve in a carburetor that consists of a disc that turns and acts as a throttle

   choke

   a valve that controls the flow of air into the carburetor of a gasoline engine

   clack, clack valve, clapper valve

   a simple valve with a hinge on one side; allows fluid to flow in only one direction

   commutator

   switch for reversing the direction of an electric current

   cutout

   a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload

   draft

   a regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace

   exhaust valve

   a valve through which burned gases from a cylinder escape into the exhaust manifold

   faucet, spigot

   a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir

   flywheel

   regulator consisting of a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engine

   ignition switch

   switch that operates a solenoid that closes a circuit to operate the starter

   intake valve

   a valve that controls the flow of fluid through an intake

   peg

   regulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument

   petcock

   regulator consisting of a small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression or draining

   poppet, poppet valve

   a mushroom-shaped valve that rises perpendicularly from its seat; commonly used in internal-combustion engines

   button, push, push button

   an electrical switch operated by pressing

   register

   a regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating device

   escape, escape cock, escape valve, relief valve, safety valve

   a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level

   selector, selector switch

   a switch that is used to select among alternatives

   slide valve

   valve that opens and closes a passageway by sliding over a port

   floodgate, head gate, penstock, sluice valve, sluicegate, water gate

   regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice

   steering wheel, wheel

   a handwheel that is used for steering

   thermoregulator, thermostat

   a regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat

   three-point switch, three-way switch

   an electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locations

   timer

   a regulator that activates or deactivates a mechanism at set times

   time-switch

   a switch set to operate at a desired time

   on-off switch, on/off switch, toggle, toggle switch

   a hinged switch that can assume either of two positions

   type of:

   mechanism

   device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
2. noun

   a person who directs and restrains
   synonyms: restrainer

   types:

   nazi

   derogatory term for a person who is fanatically dedicated to, or seeks to control, some activity, practice, etc.

   overcomer, subduer, surmounter

   someone who overcomes and establishes ascendancy and control by force or persuasion

   suppresser, suppressor

   someone who suppresses

   withholder

   a person who restrains or checks or holds back

   type of:

   individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul

   a human being
3. noun

   someone who maintains and audits business accounts
   synonyms: accountant, comptroller

   types:

   auditor

   a qualified accountant who inspects the accounting records and practices of a business or other organization

   bean counter

   an accountant or bureaucrat who is believed to place undue emphasis on the control of expenditures

   bookkeeper

   someone who records the transactions of a business

   CPA, certified public accountant

   an accountant who has passed certain examinations and met all other statutory and licensing requirements of a United States state to be certified by that state

   chartered accountant

   a British or Canadian accountant who is a member of a professional body that has a royal charter

   cost accountant

   a specialist in the systematic recording and analysis of the costs incident to production

   internal auditor

   an auditor who is an employee of the company whose records are audited and who provides information to the management and board of directors

   type of:

   bourgeois, businessperson

   a capitalist who engages in industrial commercial enterprise