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control Definition

con·trol (kən trōl′)

transitive verb -·trolled′, -·trol′·ling

  1. Obsolete to check or verify (payments, accounts, etc.) by comparison with a duplicate register
  2. to regulate (financial affairs)
  3. to verify (an experiment) by comparison with a standard or by other experiments
  4. to exercise authority over; direct; command
  5. to operate or regulate this knob controls the volume of sound
  6. to hold back; curb; restrain control your grief

Etymology: ME countrollen < Anglo-Fr contreroller < Fr contrerole < ML contrarotulus, a counter, register < L contra, against + rotulus: see roll

noun

  1. the act or fact of controlling; power to direct or regulate; ability to use effectively her control over her passions, the violinist's control of his vibrato
  2. the condition of being directed or restrained; restraint the car went out of control
  3. a means of controlling; check wage and price controls
  4. a standard of comparison for verifying or checking the findings of an experiment; specif., such a standard obtained by withholding the substance, treatment, drug, etc. being tested
    1. an instrument or apparatus to regulate a mechanism: usually used in pl.
    2. a device used to adjust or control the volume control on an amplifier
  6. a spirit supposed to direct the actions and speech of a spiritualistic medium

control Related Forms

con·trol′·labil′·ity noun con·trol′·lable adjective

control Synonyms

control

n.

  1. The power to direct

    command, authority, direction, charge; see administration 1, command 2, government 1, power 2.

  2. Restraint

    check, curb, limitation, restriction; see restraint 1, 2.

  3. A device that regulates or controls; often plural

    instrument, control mechanism, switch, dial, knob, button, key, lever, handle, toggle switch, regulator, controller, governor, instrument panel, dashboard, keyboard, remote control; see also dial, regulator. See syn. study at power.

control Synonyms

control

v.

  1. To hold in check

    constrain, master, repress; see check 2, command 2, restrain 1.

  2. To direct

    manage, regulate, guide, dominate; see advise 1, command 2, manage 1.

  3. To verify

    establish, test, experiment; see check 3, compare 2, examine 1, measure 1, verify. See syn. study at manage.

out of control

unmanageable, uncontrolled, uncontrollable, irrational; see unruly.

control Usage Examples

Object

trial: Effect of soybean protein on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial.

Converse of object

  • lose: In an age of global terrorism we have lost control of our borders.
  • regain: It all helps patients to come to terms with what is happening and regain control of their lives.
  • take: Remote control means you actually take control of the remote PC through your local keyboard.
  • gain: The key is that you gain direct control over the publication process to ensure no delays at the crucial point.
  • maintain: In three quick games, Lincou took and maintained control of the T, leaving Amr Shabana little option but to watch and stare.

Adjective modifier

  • remote: Remote control means you actually take control of the remote PC through your local keyboard.
  • internal: SYSTEMS OF INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL Systems of internal financial control are generally adequate and effective.
  • tight: EurepGAP also provides a basis for tighter supply chain control, thus giving added confidence toward product quality and safety.
  • strict: There were strict controls on firearms, chemicals and even film for moving pictures or photography.
  • reasonable: You must attend all courses on a punctual basis unless prevented by events beyond your reasonable control.
  • democratic: The debate over a rule book, therefore, is not just about structure, but about democratic control of a merged union.

Modifies a noun

  • panel: Control panel A full control panel allowing you to manage your service online.
  • measure: Control measures are the arrangements made or precautions taken to eliminate or reduce risk.

Noun used with modifier

  • pest: The farm is also used for a range of research purposes, including variety testing, pest control and composting trials and bio-diversity surveys.
  • infection: Nandini has acquired extensive experience in the practice of clinical microbiology and infection control both in India and in the UK.
  • weed: Some weed control is therefore usually necessary to promote healthy tree growth.
  • immigration: Countless other pieces of legislation have imposed ever more racist immigration controls.
  • pollution: Interaction between the different air pollution control technologies is also discussed.
  • arm: Progress in arms control should also be measured against the record of compliance with existing agreements.