actuator

American

[ak-choo-ey-ter] / ˈæk tʃuˌeɪ tər /

noun

a person or thing that actuates.
a servomechanism that supplies and transmits a measured amount of energy for the operation of another mechanism or system.

Etymology

Origin of actuator

First recorded in 1860–65; actuate + -or ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cylindrical "forearms" house small electric motors, known as actuators, which pull on metal tendons that move the fingers with precision.

From BBC

Robots will also be a tailwind for other chip companies, and suppliers of sensors, actuators, bearings, magnets, motors, batteries, and more, says Jonas.

From Barron's

To bring a robot to life, motion-activating components, or actuators, are essential.

From BBC

When Musk returned to the stage a year later, he demoed a prototype called Bumblebee, with visible wires and actuators.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is also upbeat about the company’s plan to supply humanoid robot actuators to Boston Dynamics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023