Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Con·trol

   /kənˈtrōl/

   

   noun

   • 1. the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events: "the whole operation is under the control of a production manager" Similar jurisdictionswaypowerauthoritycommanddominancedominationgovernmentmasteryleadershiprulereignsovereigntysupremacyascendancypredominancehegemonychargemanagementdirectionguidancesupervisionsuperintendenceoversightinfluencerare:prepotenceprepotencyprepollency
   • ▪ the ability to manage a machine, vehicle, or other moving object: "he lost control of his car"
   • ▪ the restriction of an activity, tendency, or phenomenon: "pest control" Similar restraintconstraintlimitationrestrictioncheckcurbbrakereinregulation
   • ▪ the power to restrain something, especially one's own emotions or actions: "give children time to get control of their emotions" Similar self-controlself-restraintrestraintself-commandself-masteryself-disciplineself-possessioncomposurecalmnesscoolnessinformal:coolrare:countenance
   • ▪ a means of limiting or regulating something: "growing controls on local spending"
   • ▪ a switch or other device by which a machine is regulated: "the volume control" Similar switchknobbuttondialhandleleverconsoleinstrument paneldashboardinformal:dash
   • ▪ the place where a particular item is verified: "passport control" Similar headquartersHQbasecenter of operationscommand post
   • ▪ the base from which a system or activity is directed: "communications could be established with central control"
   • ▪ short for control key
   • 2. a group or individual used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a survey or experiment: "they saw no difference between the cancer patients and the controls" Similar standard of comparisonbenchmarkstandardcheck
   • 3. a member of an intelligence organization who personally directs the activities of a spy: "he sat with his KGB control as the details of his new assignment were explained"
   • 4. a high card that will prevent the opponents from establishing a particular suit: "he has controls in both minor suits"

   verb

   • 1. determine the behavior or supervise the running of: "he was appointed to control the company's marketing strategy" Similar be in charge ofrunbe in control ofmanagedirectadministerheadpreside overhave authority oversupervisesuperintendoverseeguidesteercommandrulegovernleaddominatereign overhold sway overhegemonizebe at the helmbe the bossinformal:head upcall the shotscall the tunebe in the driving seatbe in the saddlerun the showpull the stringsrule the roosthold the purse stringshave someone/something in the palm of one's handhave someone eating out of one's handwear the trousershave someone in one's hip pocket
   • ▪ maintain influence or authority over: "you shouldn't have dogs if you can't control them"
   • ▪ limit the level, intensity, or numbers of: "he had to control his temper" Similar restrainkeep in checkcurbcheckcontainhold backbridlerein inkeep a tight rein onsubduesuppressrepressmasterdamp downinformal:keep a/the lid onlimitrestrictset/impose limits oncurbcapconstraininformal:put the brakes on
   • ▪ remain calm and reasonable despite provocation: "he made an effort to control himself"
   • ▪ regulate (a mechanical or scientific process): "the airflow is controlled by a fan" Similar regulatemodulateadjustaffectdeterminegovern
   • 2. take into account (an extraneous factor that might affect results) when performing an experiment: "no attempt was made to control for variations"
   • ▪ check; verify.

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘check or verify accounts’, especially by referring to a duplicate register): from Anglo-Norman French contreroller ‘keep a copy of a roll of accounts’, from medieval Latin contrarotulare, from contrarotulus ‘copy of a roll’, from contra- ‘against’ + rotulus ‘a roll’. The noun is perhaps via French contrôle.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • L

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryCONTROL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   B1. to order, limit, or rule something, or someone's actions or behavior: If you can't control your dog, put it on a leash! You're going to have to learn to control your temper. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat. The laws controlling drugs are very strict in this country.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishCONTROL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   noun. uk / kənˈtrəʊl / us. control noun (POWER) Add to word list. B2. the power to make a person, organization, or object do what you want: The new teacher has no control over the class. The police are in control of the situation. The place was in chaos, and nobody seemed to be in control. He lost control of the vehicle. Fewer examples.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitioncontrol verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   to limit something or make it happen in a particular way. control somethingIt is essential for businesses to control costs. government attempts to control immigration. Local industries were tightly controlled. Many biological processes are controlled by hormones. Try to control your breathing. They built a reservoir to control the flow of water.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishcontrol noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   Definition of control noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › controlCONTROL Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › control

   • Cached

   the act or power of controlling; regulation; domination or command: Who's in control here? the situation of being under the regulation, domination, or command of another: The car is out of control. check or restraint: Her anger is under control.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishcontrol noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

   • Cached

   noun. /kənˈtroʊl/ power. [uncountable] control (of/over somebody/something) the power to make decisions about how a country, an area, an organization, etc. is run The party is expecting to gain control of City Hall in the next election. The Democrats will probably lose control of Congress. A military junta took control of the country.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCONTROL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   2 days ago · 1. See in control. 2. See under one's control. 2. uncountable noun. If you have control of something or someone, you are able to make them do what you want them to do. He lost control of his car. [ + of] Some teachers have more control over pupils than their parents have. [ + over] 3. uncountable noun.