modulation

noun

mod·​u·​la·​tion ˌmä-jə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an inflection of the tone or pitch of the voice

specifically : the use of stress or pitch to convey meaning

2

: a regulating according to measure or proportion : tempering

3

: a change from one musical key to another by modulating

4

: the process of modulating a carrier or signal (as in radio)

also : the result of this process

Examples of modulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Motorized window treatments aid in heat and light modulation. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025

By combining its expertise in cytokine biology, immune cell modulation, and protein engineering platforms, MURA is developing medicines to deliver meaningful and clinical benefits to people with cancer. —Joe Cornell, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Mussorgsky’s unusual spinning modulations convey the feeling of events spiraling out of control. —Jeffrey Arlo Brown, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Yet the production is so entrancing that the occasional lack of modulation by the performers hardly matters. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1501, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing modulation

• amplitude modulation
• frequency modulation
• phase modulation

Rhymes for modulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

modulation

noun

mod·​u·​la·​tion ˌmäj-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an action of modulating

2

: the extent or degree by which something is modulated

3

: a change from one musical key to another by using a chord that is found in both keys

4

: the process of modulating a carrier wave or signal (as in radio)

also : the result of this process

Medical Definition

modulation

noun

mod·​u·​la·​tion ˌmäj-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of modulating

2

: a reversible change in histological structure due to physiological factors