Simulator Meaning
/ˈsɪmjʊˌleɪtə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounOne who simulates or feigns.
nounA machine or system that simulates an environment (such as an aircraft cockpit), often for training purposes.
Sentence Examples
This video game can be described as a walking simulator.
You can practise how to fly an aeroplane using a simulator.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The pilot used a flight ____ to practice emergency landings safely.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The driving ____ helped the student practice parking without any risk of a crash.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English simulate Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin -ātor Old French -eorbor. Middle English -our ▲ Latin -torlbor. English -or English simulator From simulate + -or.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Even confessing to a crime, the man may be mad, or a knavish simulator."
— 1858, Thomas De Quincey, “Schlosser's Literary History of the Eighteenth Century”, in De Quincey's works, page 82:
"The dummy rocket is being developed to permit the ground testing of missile controls. By the use of this “flight simulator” the control devices of missiles can be subjected to operational tests on the ground, thus reducing the need for expensive flight tests."
— 1947 February 21, “Instruments Are Released From Rocket By Parachute in a Jump of 68 Miles”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 09 Apr 2026:
"A wave simulator in the tank can re-enact tsunamis and northeasters, and imitate wave conditions from midocean."
— 2007 February 20, Tina Kelley, “A Wet Wind Tunnel So Ships Can Move Faster and Better”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 18 Dec 2022:
"Classroom sessions for drivers are under way, with each driver requiring a full day on the simulator before they then test a tram on the £350 million new line."
— 2020 March 11, “Network News: Driver training on Trafford Park line”, in Rail, page 15:
"While writing for Mastertronic, David had seen that sales figures were much better for 'simulators' compared to less realistic games […]"
— 2007, David Lester, How They Started:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The pilot used a flight ____ to practice emergency landings safely.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The driving ____ helped the student practice parking without any risk of a crash.