control

/kʌntrˈoʊl/

Explore definitions, synonyms, and language insights of control

Definitions

Noun

power to direct or determine; "under control"

Noun

a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another; "measures for the control of disease"; "they instituted controls over drinking on campus"

Noun

(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc; "the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired"; "he had lost control of his sphincters"

Noun

a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment; "the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw"

Noun

the activity of managing or exerting control over something; "the control of the mob by the police was admirable"

Noun

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another; "her apparent dominance of her husband was really her attempt to make him pay attention to her"

Noun

discipline in personal and social activities; "he was a model of polite restraint"; "she never lost control of herself"

Noun

great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity; "a good command of French"

Noun

a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly"; "I turned the controls over to her"

Noun

a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seance

Noun

the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.; "they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls"

Verb

exercise authoritative control or power over; "control the budget"; "Command the military forces"

Verb

lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger"

Verb

handle and cause to function; "do not operate machinery after imbibing alcohol"; "control the lever"

Verb

control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one''s advantage; "She manipulates her boss"; "She is a very controlling mother and doesn''t let her children grow up"; "The teacher knew how to keep the class in line"; "she keeps in line"

Verb

check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard; "Are you controlling for the temperature?"

Verb

verify by using a duplicate register for comparison; "control an account"

Verb

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something; "He verified that the valves were closed"; "See that the curtains are closed"; "control the quality of the product"

Verb

have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of; "Do you control these data?"

Synonyms

More General Terms

activity ascertain assure bodily function bodily process body process check condition control criterion discipline disembodied spirit economic policy ensure essay examine hold back insure interact keep keep back know manipulate mechanism power powerfulness prove relation restrain see see to it skillfulness spirit standard status test try try out verify

More Specific Terms

abnegate absolutism ascendant ascendent authorisation authority authorization aviate base bate becharm bound call the shots call the tune cap card care catch ceiling channelise channelize charm cinch confine conquer continence control corner corporatism counteract countercheck cover cross-check crowd control crucify cruise control curb damage control damp deal deny despotism dial direct direction disk controller dominance dominate domination dominion double-check draw rein drive electric switch electrical switch federalisation federalization flight control flood control floor fly gate govern governor grasping guidance guide handle handwheel harness head hold hold one''s own hold sway imperialism ingratiate inhibit inhibition internal control internationalise internationalize iron fist joystick limit manage maneuver manoeuver manoeuvre master mastery moderation monopolise monopolize monopoly mortify motor control ownership pedal pilot point possession potency power trip predominance predomination prehension preoccupy prepotency preside price control price-fixing proof proofread regiment regularisation regularization regulating regulation regulator rein rein in relay repression restrain restraint restrict riot control riot control operation roof rule say-so seizing self-control self-denial self-discipline self-restraint spot-check stamp down steer steerage steering subdue submarine suppress supremacy switch synchronise synchronize taking hold tease temperance temperateness thermostat throttle traffic control train trammel treadle turn tyranny valve wear the trousers