Meaning of the word rheostat in English

What does rheostat mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

rheostat

US /ˈriː.oʊ.stæt/
UK /ˈriː.ə.stæt/

Noun

an electrical resistor that can be varied by turning a knob or screw, used to control the current in a circuit

Example:
The technician adjusted the rheostat to dim the lights.
A rheostat is commonly used in applications requiring variable resistance.