Rheostat vs. Dimmer

Rheostatnoun

An electrical resistor, with two terminals, whose resistance is continuously variable by moving a knob or slider.

Dimmernoun

A rheostat that is used to vary the intensity of a domestic electric light

Rheostatnoun

A contrivance for adjusting or regulating the strength of electrical currents, operating usually by the intercalation of resistance which can be varied at will.

Dimmernoun

A switch used to select between the low and high headlamp beam on a road vehicle. (usually as "dimmer switch", primarily in North America; elsewhere "dipswitch" or "dipper switch")

Rheostatnoun

resistor for regulating current

Dimmernoun

a rheostat that varies the current through an electric light in order to control the level of illumination

Rheostatnoun

an electrical instrument used to control a current by varying the resistance.

Dimmernoun

a device for varying the brightness of an electric light.

Dimmernoun

a headlight with a low beam.

Dimmernoun

small parking lights on a motor vehicle.

Dimmer

Dimmers are devices connected to a light fixture and used to lower the brightness of light. By changing the voltage waveform applied to the lamp, it is possible to lower the intensity of the light output.