1. A gadget that controls something: The regulator on the radiator didn't work properly, and, although Nancy tried turning it down, it got hotter and hotter!.
2. An individual or an organizuation that establishes guidelines or criteria: The regulator officially controls a section of business and ensures that it is functioning well or is managed fairly.
3. A very precise clodk: In town there was a clockmaker who used a regulator in order to measure the timekeeping of the newly created clocks.

1. An instrument that maintains the direct-current power supply voltage for electronic equipment which is nearly constant in spite of the input alternating-current line voltage variations and output load variations.
2. A type of regulator that uses all solid state devices to perform the regulatory functions.

1. A circuit or device that produces a nearly constant voltage output, even when the voltage input (line) and current output (load) may vary considerably.
2. A device that maintains the terminal voltage of a generator or other voltage source within required limits despite variations in input voltage or load.
3. A circuit that includes a sensor capable of monitoring the load and restoring the output voltage to close tolerance limits despite changes in both the load and the input voltage.
4. Any electrical or electronic device that maintains the voltage of a power source within acceptable limits.

The voltage regulator is needed to keep voltages within the prescribed range that can be tolerated by the electrical equipment using that voltage.

Voltage regulators also are used in electronic equipment in which excessive variations in voltage would be detrimental.

1. A diode in which the voltage is independent of the current for a considerable range of current values; such as, a Zener diode or a two-terminal semiconductor junction device with a very sharp voltage breakdown as a reverse bias is applied.

The diode may be used as the main component of a simple voltage regulator, or as a constant voltage reference for a more elaborate voltage regulator circuit.

2. A diode that maintains an essentially constant direct voltage in a circuit despite changes in line voltage or load.

1. A glow-discharge tube that maintains an essentially constant tube voltage drop over the operating range of current.
2. A glow-discharge tube in which the tube voltage drop is approximately constant over the operating range of current.

It is used to maintain an essentially constant direct voltage in a circuit despite changes in line voltage or load.