control
verb
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Definition of control
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a archaic : to check, test, or verify by evidence or experiments
b : to incorporate suitable controls in a controlled experiment
: to incorporate controls in an experiment or study —used with for control for socioeconomic differences
Definition of control (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : an act or instance of controlling also : power or authority to guide or manage He took control of the family business.
b : skill in the use of a tool, instrument, technique, or artistic medium a singer's control of her voice
c : the regulation of economic activity especially by government directive —usually used in plural price controlsrent controls
d : the ability of a baseball pitcher to control the location of a pitch within the strike zone
3 : one that controls: such as
a(1)
: an experiment in which the subjects are treated as in a parallel experiment except for omission of the procedure or agent under test and which is used as a standard of comparison in judging experimental effects
— called also
control experiment
(2) : one (such as an organism, culture, or group) that is part of a control
b : a device or mechanism used to regulate or guide the operation of a machine, apparatus, or system the controls of the aircraft
c : an organization that directs a spaceflight mission control
d : a personality or spirit believed to actuate the utterances or performances of a spiritualist medium
4 or less commonly Control : control key
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Other Words from control
Verb
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noun
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adjective
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noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for control
Synonyms: Verb
bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame
Synonyms: Noun
arm, authority, clutch, command, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, power, reign, rein(s), sway
Antonyms: Verb
Antonyms: Noun
impotence, impotency, powerlessness
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Examples of control in a Sentence
Verb
The parents could not control their child. The police controlled the crowd. The small boy could not control the big dog. Her family controls the business. One country controls the whole island. The rebel army now controls nearly half the country. The lights on stage are controlled by this computer. She struggled to control the cart as it rolled before her down the steep, bumpy road. He controlled the volume by turning the radio's knob. A thermostat controls the room's temperature.Noun
The city wanted local control of education. The tribes fought for control over the territory. He took control of the family farm. She hired an accountant to take control of her money. He lost all muscle control in his left arm. The soccer player showed good control of the ball. a teacher with good control of her students The farmer used an organic pest control on his crops. To cut down on competition, the government passed price controls on prescription drugs. The President wants stricter controls on immigration.
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Heitkamp is on the ballot this year, and her race against Republican Kevin Cramer could help decide which party controls the Senate. — German Lopez, Vox, "Trump complained about voter suppression. But it’s Republicans doing the suppressing.," 5 Nov. 2018 The raid, announced Tuesday, was seen as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on the company, which controls 72 percent of the e-cigarette market in the United States and whose products have become popular in high schools. — Jan Hoffman, The Seattle Times, "FDA seizes documents from e-cigarettes maker Juul Labs," 2 Oct. 2018 Key to this vision is controlling how cells sense and respond to their environments, says Christopher Voigt, a bioengineer at MIT and co-founder of Asimov, a biotech startup that Nielsen leads. — Eric Smalley, Discover Magazine, "Cellular Cyborgs: How Programmable DNA Strands Might Control Healing," 25 Sep. 2018 The National Front in recent months gained control of territory in Idlib from HTS, which still controls nearly 70 percent of the province. — Fox News, "Last stand: Syria's rebel Idlib prepares for a losing battle," 16 Sep. 2018 Tiny spider mites cause yellow-stippled leaves; control these pests by knocking them off the plant with a spray of water. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The Secret to Growing the Most Flavorful Eggplants," 27 July 2018 If the fire seems even a smidge too big or intimidating to control, get out and call 911. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Emergency Responders Share 9 of the Biggest Death Traps in Your Home," 14 July 2018 At the time, the town of Money was controlled by a white minority and much of the black population, including Wright, were sharecroppers. — Gabby Raymond, Time, "The Justice Department Has Reopened Its Investigation of Emmett Till's Murder. Here Are 5 Things to Know About the Case," 12 July 2018 The trucks can also be controlled by a remote operator who is located hundreds of miles away using Phantom Auto’s teleoperation technology. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "This electric driverless logging truck can carry up to 16 tons of timber," 12 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Elliott is on the verge of his first Cup Series win, Kyle Larson is bound to have his first 2018 victory, but Ford and Toyota have control of the series. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "6 reasons 2018 is one of the weirdest NASCAR seasons," 12 July 2018 Davis warned May her approach will just lead to further demands from Brussels and will give Europe control of large swaths of the British economy. — Author: William Booth, Karla Adam, Anchorage Daily News, "Theresa May's government in disarray after shock resignation by Brexit minister," 9 July 2018 Republicans are trying to unseat the state's senior senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, and maintain control of Congress. — Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, "Political muscle halts release of Lake O's foul water. The reprieve won't last long," 9 July 2018 And the Parliament obliged that yearning, hoping to regain control with a little bit of old-fashioned suppression. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, "The Death of the Public Square," 6 July 2018 The state budget for mosquito control is $2.7 million. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Dealing with more bug bites than usual? Mosquitos are at 3 times their normal number in Maryland this summer.," 5 July 2018 Oil prices also have risen with the ongoing unrest in Venezuela, as well as with fighting in Libya over control of that country's oil infrastructure. — NBC News, "Trump claims Saudi Arabia will boost oil production," 30 June 2018 The later is usually only available at independent garden centers and listed for caterpillar control. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Strange happenings among citrus trees," 29 June 2018 Some of the changes, even if approved by the judge, would require changes by the state legislature, such as the COTF’s recommendation to bring the city police department — technically a state agency — under city control. — Jessica Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Panel reviewing police civilian oversight calls for more powerful 'independent police accountability agency'," 13 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'control.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for control
control
verb
English Language Learners Definition of control
(Entry 1 of 2)
: to direct the behavior of (a person or animal) : to cause (a person or animal) to do what you want
: to have power over (something)
: to direct the actions or function of (something) : to cause (something) to act or function in a certain way
control
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of control (Entry 2 of 2)
: the power to make decisions about how something is managed or done
: the ability to direct the actions of someone or something
: an action, method, or law that limits the amount or growth of something
See the full definition for control in the English Language Learners Dictionary
control
verb
\
Kids Definition of control
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to have power over "Ah, gods, plural, as in, great beings that control the forces of nature and human endeavors…"— Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief
2 : to direct the actions or behavior of Police can control a crowd.
3 : to keep within bounds : restrain Learn to control your temper.
4 : to direct the function of How do you control this machine?
control
nounKids Definition of control (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : the power or authority to manage The city wanted local control of education.
2 : ability to keep within bounds or direct the operation of The fire is out of control. He lost control of the car.
3 : self-restraint I lost control and started yelling.
4 : regulation sense 2 price controls
5 : a device used to start, stop, or change the operation of a machine or system a radio control
6 : something that is not treated or exposed to testing in an experiment in order to serve as a comparison to others that have undergone treatment or exposure
control
verb
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Medical Definition of control
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to incorporate suitable controls in a controlled experiment
2 : to reduce the incidence or severity of especially to innocuous levels control an insect population a vaccine for controlling outbreaks of cholera
: to incorporate controls in an experiment or study —used with for failure to control for the difference in the rate of smoking between the two groups— Howard Bauchner et al
control
nounMedical Definition of control (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : an act or instance of controlling something control of acute intermittent porphyria
2 : one that is used in controlling something: as
a
: an experiment in which the subjects are treated as in a parallel experiment except for omission of the procedure or agent under test and which is used as a standard of comparison in judging experimental effects
— called also
control experiment
b : one (as an organism, culture, or group) that is part of a control
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control
transitive verbLegal Definition of control
1 : to exercise restraining or directing influence over especially by law
2 : to have power or authority over precedent controls the outcome in this case
3 : to have controlling interest in
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