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
Former Disney chief Michael Eisner, left, spent time with Shari Redstone, controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, at the conference. — Keach Hagey, WSJ, "Deal or No Deal: The Shadow Over Sun Valley," 13 July 2018 Owner Andrew Hauptman will continue as club chairman and controlling shareholder, with a 51 percent stake. — Tim Bannon, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago billionaire Joe Mansueto buys 49 percent stake in Fire," 11 July 2018 Likely attendees include Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Disney’s Bob Iger, the Murdoch clan of Fox, Comcast’s Brian Roberts, CBS’ Leslie Moonves and Viacom and CBS controlling shareholder Shari Redstone. — David Lazarus, latimes.com, "California Inc.: A tough job market for recent college grads," 9 July 2018 Expect periodic northbound and southbound lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. — Kari Barnett, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Water utilities maintenance causes Hagen Ranch Road lane closure," 6 July 2018 Caporella is the chairman, chief executive and controlling shareholder of National Beverage, which has a market value of $5 billion, thanks to surging LaCroix sales. — Fox News, "Billionaire behind LaCroix accused of improper touching by pilots," 4 July 2018 This is why the Lakers’ controlling owner, Jeanie Buss, felt the need to abruptly fire her brother Jim and the club’s long-serving general manager, Mitch Kupchak, in February 2017. — Marc Stein, New York Times, "LeBron James to the Lakers: There’s Much to Unpack Here," 2 July 2018 Viacom's controlling shareholder, Shari Redstone, will attend this year, as will CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves. — Claire Atkinson, NBC News, "Viacom CEO is sitting out Sun Valley, the famous dealmakers get together," 26 June 2018 Luka Modric has coolly controlled matches in Russia with his graceful play in the middle. — Graham Dunbar, chicagotribune.com, "Mbappe's France face Croatia's Modric for the World Cup title," 14 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
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 2018 More than 75 firefighters from the Phoenix and Glendale fire departments worked to battle the blaze and had most of the fire under control within an hour, although numerous spots still were burning within the store's perimeter. — Angela Forburger, azcentral, "Storm damage, roof collapse may have triggered Safeway fire, officials say," 12 July 2018 At least seven out of 14 districts in the southern Helmand province are completely under Taliban control. — Washington Post, "Peace in Afghanistan more elusive as Taliban shrug off talks," 11 July 2018 Hand—who is 28, and under club control through 2021—will require at least one of the tight-fisted Tribe’s top prospects, catcher Francisco Mejia and starter Triston McKenzie, and possibly both. — Si.com Staff, SI.com, "Midseason Roundtable: The SI Staff Makes Some Second-Half Predictions," 11 July 2018 At least seven out of 14 districts in the southern Helmand province are completely under Taliban control. — Rahim Faiez, Fox News, "Peace in Afghanistan more elusive as Taliban shrug off talks," 11 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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