modulate

[ moj-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, mod·u·lat·ed, mod·u·lat·ing.

1. to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion; soften; tone down.
2. to alter or adapt (the voice) according to the circumstances, one's listener, etc.

   Synonyms: control, temper

3. Music.
   1. to attune to a certain pitch or key.
   2. to vary the volume of (tone).
4. Telecommunications. to cause the amplitude, frequency, phase, or intensity of (a carrier wave) to vary in accordance with a sound wave or other signal, the frequency of the signal wave usually being very much lower than that of the carrier.

verb (used without object)

, mod·u·lat·ed, mod·u·lat·ing.

1. Telecommunications.
   1. to modulate a carrier wave.
   2. Citizens Band Radio Slang. to talk; visit:

      Enjoyed modulating with you.

2. Music. to pass from one key to another:

   to modulate abruptly from A to B flat.

modulate

/ ˈmɒdjʊˌleɪt; ˌmɒdjʊləˈbɪlɪtɪ /

verb

1. tr to change the tone, pitch, or volume of
2. tr to adjust or regulate the degree of
3. music
   1. to subject to or undergo modulation in music
   2. often foll by to to make or become in tune (with a pitch, key, etc)
4. tr physics electronics to cause to vary by a process of modulation

modulate

/ mŏj′ə-lāt′ /

1. To vary the amplitude, frequency, or some other characteristic of a signal or power source.
2. See also amplitude modulation

Derived Forms

• ˈmodulative, adjective
• ˈmoduˌlator, noun
• modulability, noun

Other Words From

• mod·u·la·bil·i·ty [moj-, uh, -l, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• modu·lative mod·u·la·to·ry [moj, -, uh, -l, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• re·modu·late verb (used with object) remodulated remodulating
• un·modu·lated adjective
• un·modu·lative adjective
• well-modu·lated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of modulate¹

1550–60; < Latin modulātus (past participle of modulārī to regulate (sounds), set to music, play an instrument). See module, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of modulate¹

C16: from Latin modulātus in due measure, melodious, from modulārī to regulate, from modus measure

Example Sentences

She had stumbled, it seemed, onto a possible drug candidate capable of modulating the master switch.

From MIT Technology Review

“This paper represents a significant advance in our understanding of how the hippocampus modulates metabolism,” says Elizabeth Gould, a neuroscientist at Princeton University who wasn’t involved in the study.

From Science News

The new finding of an “ignored historical land use emission” suggests that even now, we lack a complete understanding of how the Earth’s land surfaces are driving and modulating the warming of the planet.

From Washington Post

It’s also easy to modulate—you can take it easy and use a session as a warm-up or go hard and blast yourself.

From Outside Online

Changes in the cingulate cortex and hippocampus, on the other hand, could allow us to learn how to modulate negative feelings and emotions.

From Nautilus

Some in the Obama orbit hoped that the entry into government would modulate and moderate Islamist goals.

From The Daily Beast

Previously, the medical community had known little about how to prevent or modulate this devastating liver disease.

From The Daily Beast

Also modulate your tones to the pitch of discretion and confidence.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Sylvester's voice, careful as he was to modulate it, showed a secret discouragement.

From Project Gutenberg

Somewhere in the circuit there seems to be an effect that serves to modulate the incoming signal.

From Project Gutenberg

Follow the directions for Exercise I. Sing quietly in a pitch that is easy for the voice, and modulate up or down by half steps.

From Project Gutenberg

It began to modulate itself and to express things most voices are incapable of expressing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inflect