actuator
noun
Simple meaning
A usually electric device that causes a mechanical device to be switched on or off.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
aktyooayterSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈæktjueɪtɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A usually electric device that causes a mechanical device (i.e., a mechanism) to be switched on or off. For example; an electric motor that opens and closes a valve.
A mechanism that puts something into automatic action
Something that actuates something else.
computer hardware
The mechanism that moves the head assembly on a disk drive.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A usually electric device that causes a mechanical device (i.e., a mechanism) to be switched on or off. For example; an electric motor that opens and closes a valve.
An 'actuator' is a part that converts energy (like electricity) into physical motion to control a mechanism. It's a very common term in engineering, robotics, and automation, distinguishing it from a simple motor.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where you'll really hear it
Robotics Class
“Servos are common actuators used for precise robotic movements.”
Car Repair
“The window no longer works; the electric actuator is faulty.”
Where it naturally appears
- Technical/specialist writing
- Science
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
Share your sentence
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “actuator” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.