regulator-n; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: a device to control the rate of some activity, e.g., chemical or mechanical

Commentary: REGULATOR[+mechanism][+control][+artifact/+natural]

Examples:
The problem lay with a faulty voltage regulator.
Bob has been studying growth regulators in wheat and other grasses.
Geneticists have been experimenting with this regulator gene for several years.
They fixed the regulator on the steam engine.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 3

Sense Number 2: an official with responsibility to supervise some domain of social activity

Commentary: REGULATOR[+person][+official][+supervisor]

Examples:
Regulators in Massachusetts are opposed to selling wine directly to consumers without distribution channels.
John serves as a local regulator for town elections.
Bill believes there are too many regulators working in Washington D.C.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2