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

Participants from across the UK will be split into four groups, three of which will try out the different kinds of interventions while the fourth will act as a control group.

From BBC

One of the pilots, backed by Mr. Altman, began in 2020 and provided low-income participants in Texas and Illinois with $1,000 a month, while a control group received $50 a month.

From The Wall Street Journal

These offspring were compared with those from a control group whose fathers had not been exposed to nicotine.

From Science Daily

Female offspring of nicotine exposed fathers had lower insulin levels and lower fasting glucose levels compared with the control group.

From Science Daily

For each group, the team created a comparable control group of patients with the same cancer diagnosis and similar demographic and health characteristics but with normal vision.

From Science Daily