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
Of course, launching even some of these new programs means no longer treating historic budget allocations as sacrosanct, or even as a baseline from which to modulate.
—
Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The finer points of calling out Reid’s verbose plays was a challenge, and so was even modulating his voice as a QB.
—Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
Understanding these pathways in more detail could lead to new treatments that modulate immune responses more precisely, reducing collateral damage while preserving antimicrobial defenses.
—Andrew Monteith, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
The film’s warm tones take the form of a mid-2000s orange wash, harkening back to a time when digital color correction was the hot new tool, but action filmmakers hadn’t quite figured how to modulate it.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for modulate
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Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The finer points of calling out Reid’s verbose plays was a challenge, and so was even modulating his voice as a QB.
—Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
Understanding these pathways in more detail could lead to new treatments that modulate immune responses more precisely, reducing collateral damage while preserving antimicrobial defenses.
—Andrew Monteith, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
The film’s warm tones take the form of a mid-2000s orange wash, harkening back to a time when digital color correction was the hot new tool, but action filmmakers hadn’t quite figured how to modulate it.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modulate. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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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