Rheostat vs. Dimmer

Rheostatnoun

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

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.

Rheostatnoun

resistor for regulating current

Rheostatnoun

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

Dimmernoun

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

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")

Dimmernoun

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

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.