modulate

verb mod·u·late \ ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of modulate

modulated; modulating

1 : to tune to a key or pitch

2 : to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion : temper

3 : to vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the transmission of information (as by radio); also : to vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beam

intransitive verb

1 : to play or sing with modulation

2 : to pass from one musical key into another by means of intermediary chords or notes that have some relation to both keys

3 : to pass gradually from one state to another

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modulator

play \-ˌlā-tər\ noun

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modulatory

play \-lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective

See modulate defined for English-language learners

See modulate defined for kids

Examples of modulate in a Sentence

Because she doesn't modulate her voice, she sounds the same when she's excited as when she's sad.
The music quickly modulates from its original key, changing the mood of the song.

Recent Examples of modulate from the Web

For example, researchers have shown that the occurrence of dust storms in China and Saudi Arabia is modulated by rainfall or soil moisture in surrounding regions, which include remote deserts and drylands.

— Smithsonian, "How Climate Changed-Fueled “Mega Droughts” Could Harm Human Health," 12 June 2018
Overdriven, over saturated bass riffs & screeches modulating around a thumping kick & snare.

— nick williams, Billboard, "Listen to Aussie Beatsmith What So Not's #TBT Mixtape, Inspired by His 'Rock Kid' Origins," 7 June 2018
Of the 41 gene variants the studies have linked to migraine risk, many are in genes that modulate electrical activity in neurons and are thought to make carriers more susceptible to CSD.

— emily underwood, Science | AAAS, "Will antibodies finally put an end to migraines?," 18 May 2018
The current cooling episode is mostly the result of a reversal of waters in the Tropical Pacific, which can modulate global temperature.

— matt rogers, Washington Post, "Global temperatures have dropped since 2016. Here’s why that’s normal.," 26 Apr. 2018
Nerve cells have tiny pores in their cell membranes that regulate the flow of sodium ions into the cell, which in turn modulates the firing of the cell.

— karen weintraub, Scientific American, "Revenge of the Super Lice," 1 June 2017
Dynamic Stability Control helps the driver regain control if a lack of grip or stability is detected, braking the appropriate wheel or wheels and modulating engine output.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Land Rover’s 5th-generation Discovery excels either on or off the beaten track | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 26 May 2018
Gutierrez developed a sense on how to modulate play, how much weight to give a ball, what kind of spin would be required to bend a ball onto a teammate's foot.

— scott french, latimes.com, "Daily Pilot Boys’ Soccer Dream Team: Sergio Gutierrez a difference-maker for Estancia," 25 May 2018
Those are pretty standard tricks in today’s hybrids and pure electrics, but the Porsche also peeks into the navigation system to further fine-tune where and how to modulate the power, particularly through the new Hybrid Auto mode.

— eric adams, WIRED, "Porsche's New Cayenne Hybrid Checks Your Route to Pick its Power," 23 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of modulate

Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari to play, sing, from modulus small measure, rhythm, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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MODULATE Defined for English Language Learners

modulate

verb

Definition of modulate for English Language Learners

: to change the sound of (your voice) by making it quieter, higher, lower, etc.
music : to move gradually from one key to another
: to change or adjust (something) so that it exists in a balanced or proper amount