controller

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

controllership

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​trol·​ler·​ship kən-ˈtrō-lər-ˌship How to pronounce controllership (audio)
ˈkän-ˌtrō-
plural -s
1
: the office of controller
2
: the position and functions of a controller

Synonyms of controller

Relevance

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of controller in a Sentence

Noun (1) 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.
Noun
The mid-motor offers three levels of assist, adjusted through a controller on the left side that also includes the power button and a simple display. — ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026 Although flight controllers managed to slow Link’s tumble, issues continued to plague its pointing and positioning in orbit. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Flight director Diane Dailey told us the controllers are watching for things like if the astronauts are loaded down with equipment, which indicates that would not be a good time to call unless urgent. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Caterpillar, Hyundai, and Komatsu are all developing their own simulators for training and eventual remote operation, but these remain largely based on traditional joystick controllers that still take time to learn. — New Atlas, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for controller

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

See All Rhymes for controller

Browse Nearby Words

controlled substance
controller
controllership
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Controller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/controller. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All