control
Other forms: controlled; controls; controlling; controling; controled
To have control is to have the power to run something in an orderly way. A skillful teacher maintains control over students who might otherwise waste time or be disruptive.
A control can also be a device used to operate a machine, like the remote control for a television. The control in an experiment is the group that gets left alone so scientists can compare "before and after" changes in other groups. The verb control means "to be in charge." If you're a group's treasurer, you control its finances. It can also mean "hold back." You might need to control your hyperactive puppy when the mail carrier comes around.
Definitions of control
-
power to direct or determine“under control”types:authorisation, authority, authorization, dominance, potency, say-sothe power or right to give orders or make decisionscorporatismcontrol of a state or organization by large interest groupsholdpower by which something or someone is affected or dominatediron fistrigorous or ruthless controlreinany means of controlpower of appointmentauthority given (in a will or deed) by a donor to a donee to appoint the beneficiaries of the donor's propertycarte blanchecomplete freedom or authority to actcommandthe power or authority to commandimperiumsupreme authority; absolute dominionlordshipthe authority of a lordmuscleauthority or power or force (especially when used in a coercive way)sovereigntythe authority of a state to govern another statetype of:
-
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”type of:relationan abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
-
the state that exists when one person or group has power over anothersynonyms: ascendance, ascendancy, ascendence, ascendency, dominancetypes:regulationthe state of being controlled or governedmonopolyexclusive control or possession of somethingsuperiority, transcendence, transcendencythe state of excelling or surpassing or going beyond usual limitsparamountcythe state of being paramount; the highest rank or authorityrajBritish dominion over India (1757-1947)suzeraintythe position or authority of a suzerain
-
the activity of managing or exerting control over something“the control of the mob by the police was admirable”types:repressionthe act of repressing; control by holding downcrowd controlactivity of controlling a crowddamage controlan effort to minimize or curtail damage or lossflight controlcontrol from ground stations of airplanes in flight by means of messages transmitted to the pilot electronicallyflood control(engineering) the art or technique of trying to control rivers with dams etc in order to minimize the occurrence of floodsimperialismany instance of aggressive extension of authorityinternal controlan accounting procedure or system designed to promote efficiency or assure the implementation of a policy or safeguard assets or avoid fraud and error etc.possession(sports) the act of controlling the ball (or puck)power trip(slang) a self-aggrandizing action undertaken simply for the pleasure of exercising control over other peoplegrasping, prehension, seizing, taking holdthe act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)traffic controlcontrol of the flow of traffic in a building or a cityprice-fixingcontrol (by agreement among producers or by government) of the price of a commodity in interstate commercerestraintthe act of controlling by restraining someone or somethingdrivingthe act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animalinventory controlsupervision of the supply and storage and accessibility of items in order to insure an adequate supply without excessive oversupplydevaluationan official lowering of a nation's currency; a decrease in the value of a country's currency relative to that of foreign countriesgun controlefforts to regulate or control sales of gunsindexationa system of economic regulation: wages and interest are tied to the cost-of-living index in order to reduce the effects of inflationmanagement controlan internal control performed by one or more managersquality controlmaintenance of standards of quality of manufactured goodstimingthe regulation of occurrence, pace, or coordination to achieve a desired effect (as in music, theater, athletics, mechanics)actual possession(law) immediate and direct physical control over propertyconstructive possession(law) having the power and intention to have and control property but without direct control or actual presence upon itcriminal possession(law) possession for which criminal sanctions are provided because the property may not lawfully be possessed or may not be possessed under certain circumstancesaimthe action of directing something at an objectcelestial guidancea method of controlling the flight of a missile or spacecraft by reference to the positions of celestial bodiesinertial guidance, inertial navigationa method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to inertial forcescommand guidancea method of controlling the flight of a missile by commands originating from the ground or from another missileterrestrial guidancea method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to the strength and direction of the earth's gravitational fieldabstinenceact or practice of refraining from indulging an appetitemortification(Christianity) the act of mortifying the lusts of the flesh by self-denial and privation (especially by bodily pain or discomfort inflicted on yourself)point dutythe control of traffic by a policeman stationed at an intersectiondampera depressing restraintimmobilisation, immobilization, immobilizingthe act of limiting movement or making incapable of movementconfinementthe act of restraining a person's liberty by confining themcontainmentthe act of containing; keeping something from spreadingcurtailment, suppressionthe act of withholding or withdrawing some book or writing from publication or circulationrestraint of tradeany act that tends to prevent free competition in businessconfinement, restrictionthe act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary)type of:activityany specific behavior
-
the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.“they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls”types:price controlrestriction on maximum prices that is established and maintained by the government (as during periods of war or inflation)glass ceilinga ceiling based on attitudinal or organizational bias in the work force that prevents minorities and women from advancing to leadership positionsprice floorfloor below which prices are not allowed to fallwage floorfloor below which wages are not allowed to falltype of:economic policya government policy for maintaining economic growth and tax revenues
-
(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”types:motor controlcontrol of musclestype of:activity, bodily function, bodily process, body processan organic process that takes place in the body
-
a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine“I turned the controls over to her”synonyms: controllertypes:cruise controlcontrol mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speeddialthe control on a radio or television set that is used for tuningdisk controller(computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drivegovernor, regulatora control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel)handwheelcontrol consisting of a wheel whose rim serves as the handle by which a part is operatedjoysticka manual control consisting of a vertical handle that can move freely in two directions; used as an input device to computers or to devices controlled by computersregulatorany of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.electric switch, electrical switch, switchcontrol consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuitvalvecontrol consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluidaperturea device that controls amount of light admittedball valveany valve that checks flow by the seating of a ballbutterfly valvea valve in a carburetor that consists of a disc that turns and acts as a throttlechokea valve that controls the flow of air into the carburetor of a gasoline engineclack, clack valve, clapper valvea simple valve with a hinge on one side; allows fluid to flow in only one directioncommutatorswitch for reversing the direction of an electric currentcutouta switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overloaddrafta regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplaceexhaust valvea valve through which burned gases from a cylinder escape into the exhaust manifoldflywheelregulator consisting of a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engineignition switchswitch that operates a solenoid that closes a circuit to operate the starterintake valvea valve that controls the flow of fluid through an intakepegregulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrumentpetcockregulator consisting of a small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression or drainingpoppet, poppet valvea mushroom-shaped valve that rises perpendicularly from its seat; commonly used in internal-combustion enginesregistera regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating deviceescape, escape cock, escape valve, relief valve, safety valvea valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous levelslide valvevalve that opens and closes a passageway by sliding over a portfloodgate, head gate, penstock, sluice valve, sluicegate, water gateregulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluicethermoregulator, thermostata regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heatthree-point switch, three-way switchan electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locationstimera regulator that activates or deactivates a mechanism at set timestime-switcha switch set to operate at a desired timeon-off switch, on/off switch, toggle, toggle switcha hinged switch that can assume either of two positionstype of:mechanismdevice consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
-
exercise authoritative control or power over“control the budget”synonyms: commandtypes:preoccupyengage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessivelychannelise, channelize, direct, guide, head, maneuver, manoeuver, manoeuvre, point, steerdirect the course; determine the direction of travellingsteerdirect (oneself) somewherehold one's ownmaintain one's position and be in control of a situationholdtake and maintain control over, often by violent meanshold swaybe master; reign or rulegoverndirect or strongly influence the behavior ofregimentsubject to rigid discipline, order, and systematizationcornergain control overpresideact as presidentcommandbe in command ofbewitch, enchant, ensorcel, ensorcell, glamour, hex, jinx, witchcast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or somethingdockmaneuver into a dockprepossesscause to be preoccupiedsheercause to sheerpull oversteer a vehicle to the side of the roadhelmbe at or take the helm ofcrabdirect (an aircraft) into a crosswindnavigatedirect carefully and safelystand outsteer away from shore, of shipsstarboardturn to the right, of helms or ruddersconnconduct or direct the steering of a ship or planenavigate, pilotact as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyanceparkmaneuver a vehicle into a parking spaceorganise, organizecause to be structured or ordered or operating according to some principle or ideaworkcause to operate or functiondispose ofdeal with or settlecoordinatebring into common action, movement, or conditionjuggledeal with simultaneouslyprocessdeal with in a routine waydirectbe in charge ofthronesit on the throne as a rulermisgoverngovern badlydictaterule as a dictatorreignhave sovereign powertouchdeal with; usually used with a form of negationcurateorganize and oversee items in a collection or exhibitfinesseplan, manage, or direct with subtle and skillful maneuvering
-
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something“control the quality of the product”checkverify by consulting a source or authorityascertain, check, determine, find out, learn, see, watchfind out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effortverifycheck or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standardtypes:double-checkcheck once more to be absolutely surecross-checkcheck out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for examplecinchmake sure ofcardask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquorspot-checkpick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high qualitycovermaintain a check on; especially by patrollingtype of:verifyconfirm the truth of
-
handle and cause to function“control the lever”synonyms: operatemasterhave a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top oftypes:dialoperate a dial to select a telephone numberturnalter the functioning or setting ofsubmarinecontrol a submarinetreadleoperate (machinery) by a treadlerelaycontrol or operate by relaygatecontrol with a valve or other device that functions like a gatepedaloperate the pedals on a keyboard instrumentdriveoperate or control a vehiclecoachdrive a coachtest drivetest a vehicle by driving itfly blindfly an airplane solely by relying on instrumentsfly contactfly a plane by using visible landmarks or points of referencesolofly alone, without a co-pilot or passengerstest flytest a planejetfly a jet planeglidefly in or as if in a glider planeballoonride in a hot-air balloondrivemove by being propelled by a forcetooldrivetype of:manipulatehold something in one's hands and move it
-
control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage“She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up”synonyms: keep in line, manipulatetypes:teasearouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying themhandleshow and trainingratiategain favor with somebody by deliberate effortstype of:interactact together or towards others or with others
-
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”synonyms: control condition
-
check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard
-
discipline in personal and social activities“she never lost control of herself”synonyms: restrainttypes:inhibitionthe quality of being inhibitedcontinencevoluntary control over urinary and fecal dischargestiff upper lipself-restraint in the expression of emotion (especially fear or grief)abstemiousnessmoderation in eating and drinkingtype of:disciplinethe trait of being well behaved
-
lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits“control your anger”types:damprestrain or discouragerestrictplace under restrictions; limit access totraincause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning itcatchcheck oneself during an actionbatemoderate or restrain; lessen the force ofthermostatcontrol the temperature with a thermostattielimit or restrict togaterestrict (school boys') movement to the dormitory or campus as a means of punishmentburkeget rid of, silence, or suppresssilencekeep from expression, for example by threats or pressuremortifypractice self-denial of one's body and appetitesclassifydeclare unavailable, as for security reasonstaboodeclare as sacred and forbiddentrellistrain on a trellis, as of a vine
-
great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activitytype of:skillfulnessthe state of being cognitively skillful
-
have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of
-
a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seancetype of:disembodied spirit, spiritany incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings
-
verify by using a duplicate register for comparison
Pronunciation
US
UK
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘control'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
Vocabulary lists containing control
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
A thorough survey of various textbooks, assignments, content area standards, and examinations yields the following list of words compiled by Jim Burke. You cannot expect to succeed on assignments if you do not understand the directions.
