noun
simulator
SIM-yuh-lay-ter/ˈsɪmjuleɪtər/
A person or system that imitates something real.
Pilots use a simulator to practice landing in bad weather.
Etymology
The pieces describe something that imitates. Originally a simulator was a person who copied or feigned something; the name later extended to training devices that reproduce real conditions.
In context
Why not build a virtual laboratory simulator? Well, we did it. We basically set out to create a fully simulated, one-to-one, virtual reality laboratory simulator, where the students could perform experiments
More examples
- The driving simulator lets students practice without entering traffic.
- Engineers test bridge designs with computer simulators.
- The simulator pretends to have chest pain during medical training.
Forms
simulator · simulators
simulate verb — To imitate real conditions, behavior, or appearances.
simulation noun — An imitation of a real situation or process.
Similar words
- emulator
- Reproduces another system's functions, especially to run its software.
- imitator
- Usually copies someone's behavior or style rather than recreating conditions.