modulate

American  

[moj-uh-leyt] / ˈmɒdʒ əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

modulated, modulating

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.

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verb (used without object)

modulated, modulating

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 British  

/ 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

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modulate Scientific  

/ mŏj′ə-lāt′ /

1. To vary the amplitude, frequency, or some other characteristic of a signal or power source.

2. See also amplitude modulation frequency modulation

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Other Word Forms

• modulability noun
• modulative adjective
• modulator noun
• modulatory adjective
• remodulate verb (used with object)
• unmodulated adjective
• unmodulative adjective
• well-modulated adjective

Etymology

Origin of modulate

1550–60; < Latin modulātus (past participle of modulārī to regulate (sounds), set to music, play an instrument). See module, -ate ¹

Explanation

Is your friend's voice so high-pitched that people are starting to stare? Sweetly ask, "Can you modulate your voice, please? To modulate is to change the pitch of something. You can modulate things other than sound — it still refers to something that's being adjusted. Schools might modulate the number of students in the hallways at the same time by having each grade level start and end each at a different time. Traffic lights can modulate the number of cars that pass through an intersection in a certain interval. Computer modems modulate signals to allow computers to transfer information. In fact, modem gets its name from modulate/demodulate.

Example Sentences

"Gravitational waves modulate the quantum field, which in turn affects spontaneous emission," said Jerzy Paczos, a PhD student at Stockholm University.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Other advantages include no launching device, the ability to modulate the beam's intensity, and unlimited "ammunition."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

Olsen: How have you come to learn that distinction and how to modulate your performance, like knowing what you can do for a camera versus what you’re doing for the audience?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

Our research has found that public opinion—unlike precision-guided export controls—can be difficult to modulate once unleashed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

They’d arrived at an uneasy truce—Mamma didn’t have to modulate her tone if Dimple didn’t have to drop everything and rush to her aid for saffron emergencies.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

• inflect