control group

American  

[kuhn-trohl groop] / kənˈtroʊl ˌgrup /

noun

1. (in an experiment or clinical trial) a group of subjects closely resembling the treatment group in many demographic variables but not receiving the active medication or factor under study and thereby serving as a comparison group when treatment results are evaluated.

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control group British  

noun

1. any group used as a control in a statistical experiment, esp a group of patients who receive either a placebo or a standard drug during an investigation of the effects of another drug on other patients

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Etymology

Origin of control group

First recorded in 1950–55

Compare meaning

How does control-group compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• control group vs. experimental group

Example Sentences

The control group applied for the loan and were later notified if they received it, but didn’t get status updates along the way.

From The Wall Street Journal

The issue came down to the study design: control group participants over 65 did not receive the high-dose flu shot; instead, they received a regular flu shot.

From Salon

Importantly, speed training was the only intervention that showed a statistically significant difference compared to the control group.

From Science Daily

Participants who completed speed training had a 29% lower dementia incidence at the 10 year mark compared to the control group.

From Science Daily

Beginning in 1998-99, researchers enrolled 2,802 adults and randomly assigned them to one of three cognitive training groups or to a control group that received no training.

From Science Daily