modulate
verb
mod·u·late
ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt 
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
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
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 on the Web
And, congruent with many of Olson Kundig’s projects, the ocean-facing side of this home has operable louvre shades designed to reduce solar gain, regulate temperature, and modulate the strong onshore winds that blow off the ocean.
—
Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Sperm whales -- which have the largest brains of any animal species on Earth -- can combine and modulate different clicks and rhythms to create complex calls, similar to human language, according to the study, which notes the sequences of clicks sperm whales project are called codas.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 8 May 2024
The movement of the membrane uses that air to create modulating high and low air pressure.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 7 May 2024
Image In a study published in 1999, Professor Young and his colleagues exploited the gene in prairie voles associated with the signaling of vasopressin, a hormone that modulates social behavior.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Activating these receptors is known to modulate the function of cells in the epidermis, including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
—Joy Organics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
By modulating inflammation levels, CBD aids in relieving pain associated with muscle recovery.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2023
The new study builds on that previous work, confirming the phenomenon in a clan of wild hyenas with novel methods, identifying the genes modulated by methylation, and showing changes in both cubs and adults.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Mar. 2024
But in studies of organisms as diverse as crustaceans, sea slugs and now possibly snakes, researchers are finding that interactions with neuromodulators and other chemicals can modulate the activity that a circuit evokes, leading the same networks of cells to produce markedly different behaviors.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 9 May 2024
Sperm whales -- which have the largest brains of any animal species on Earth -- can combine and modulate different clicks and rhythms to create complex calls, similar to human language, according to the study, which notes the sequences of clicks sperm whales project are called codas.
—Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 8 May 2024
The movement of the membrane uses that air to create modulating high and low air pressure.
—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 7 May 2024
Image In a study published in 1999, Professor Young and his colleagues exploited the gene in prairie voles associated with the signaling of vasopressin, a hormone that modulates social behavior.
—Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 2 May 2024
Activating these receptors is known to modulate the function of cells in the epidermis, including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.
—Joy Organics, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
By modulating inflammation levels, CBD aids in relieving pain associated with muscle recovery.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2023
The new study builds on that previous work, confirming the phenomenon in a clan of wild hyenas with novel methods, identifying the genes modulated by methylation, and showing changes in both cubs and adults.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Mar. 2024
But in studies of organisms as diverse as crustaceans, sea slugs and now possibly snakes, researchers are finding that interactions with neuromodulators and other chemicals can modulate the activity that a circuit evokes, leading the same networks of cells to produce markedly different behaviors.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modulate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near modulate
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modulate. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
modulate
verb
mod·u·late
ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt
modulated; modulating
1
: to tune to a key or pitch
2
: to adjust or regulate to the proper proportion
3
: to vary a quality (as frequency or amplitude) of an electromagnetic wave for the transmission of information (as by radio)
Medical Definition
modulate
transitive verb
mod·u·late
ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt
modulated; modulating
: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion
modulate an immune response
modulate cell activity
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