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
• modulability, noun
• ˈmoduˌlator, 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

It was a carefully modulated message in an area in which she has a double-digit advantage over Trump.

From BBC

Chen's team was the first to show that sonogenetics could modulate the behavior of freely moving mice.

From Science Daily

Observed temperatures are a product of this long-term trend modulated by shorter-term natural variations.

From Science Daily

But then as we were filming, there was so much modulating of like, “How much are you revealing? How vulnerable are you getting with each other?”

From Los Angeles Times

I’m sure we modulated on set and that editorial choices were made to shade it, but everyone knew the target.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inflect