modulate
to regulate by or adjust to a certain measure or proportion; soften; tone down.
to alter or adapt (the voice) according to the circumstances, one's listener, etc.
Music.
to attune to a certain pitch or key.
to vary the volume of (tone).
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.
Telecommunications.
to modulate a carrier wave.
Citizens Band Radio Slang. to talk; visit: Enjoyed modulating with you.
Music. to pass from one key to another: to modulate abruptly from A to B flat.
Origin of modulate
1Other words for modulate
Other words from modulate
- mod·u·la·bil·i·ty [moj-uh-luh-bil-i-tee], /ˌmɒdʒ ə ləˈbɪl ɪ ti/, noun
- mod·u·la·tive, mod·u·la·to·ry [moj-uh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˈmɒdʒ ə ləˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
- re·mod·u·late, verb (used with object), re·mod·u·lat·ed, re·mod·u·lat·ing.
- un·mod·u·lat·ed, adjective
- un·mod·u·la·tive, adjective
- well-mod·u·lat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for modulate
/ (ˈmɒdjʊˌleɪt) /
(tr) to change the tone, pitch, or volume of
(tr) to adjust or regulate the degree of
music
to subject to or undergo modulation in music
(often foll by to) to make or become in tune (with a pitch, key, etc)
(tr) physics electronics to cause to vary by a process of modulation
Origin of modulate
1Derived forms of modulate
- modulability (ˌmɒdjʊləˈbɪlɪtɪ), noun
- modulative or modulatory, adjective
- modulator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for modulate
[ mŏj′ə-lāt′ ]
To vary the amplitude, frequency, or some other characteristic of a signal or power source. See also amplitude modulation frequency modulation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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