controller

noun

con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər How to pronounce controller (audio) ˈkän-ˌtrō- How to pronounce controller (audio)
Synonyms of controllernext
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 How to pronounce controller (audio)
ˈkän-ˌtrō-
noun

Synonyms of controller

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Examples of controller in a Sentence

the controllers for the video game system seem fairly well designed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before Bath & Body Works, Arlin was senior vice president, finance and corporate controller of L Brands from 2005 to 2021. — David Moin, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 Players use their phones as controllers, connected to the game via a QR code. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 29 July 2026 Throttle calibration, regenerative braking, controller tuning, battery thermal management and long-term reliability all matter just as much as peak power. — New Atlas, 27 July 2026 The demonstrator integrates two megawatt-class motor generators and motor controllers developed by Collins Aerospace, creating a powertrain designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for controller

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countreroller, from Anglo-French contreroulur, from contreroule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of controller was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing controller

Rhymes for controller

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Browse Nearby Words

controlled substance
controller
controllership
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Cite this Entry

“Controller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controller. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

controller

noun
con·​trol·​ler kən-ˈtrō-lər How to pronounce controller (audio) ˈkän-ˌtrō-lər How to pronounce controller (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on controller

Nglish: Translation of controller for Spanish Speakers

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