modulate
verb
mod·u·late
| \ ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt
\
\
modulated;
modulating
Definition of modulate
1
: to tune to a key or pitch
2
: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion : temper
3
: to vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the transmission of information (as by radio)
also
: to vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beam
1
: to play or sing with modulation
2
: to pass from one musical key into another by means of intermediary chords or notes that have some relation to both keys
3
: to pass gradually from one state to another
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Other Words from modulate
modulator
\ ˈmä-jə-ˌlā-tər
\
noun
\
noun
modulatory
\ ˈmä-jə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of modulate in a Sentence
Because she doesn't modulate her voice, she sounds the same when she's excited as when she's sad.
The music quickly modulates from its original key, changing the mood of the song.
Recent Examples on the Web
But as the numbers in her caucus have shifted Pelosi has modulated her language. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Where Do Trump and the Democrats Stand as the Summer Recess Arrives?," 3 Aug. 2019 Further Reading Apple unveils the Pro Display XDR, a display unlike anything else on the market The Pro Display XDR has an edge-to-edge glass display with 576 blue LEDs, which are each modulated at 10 times the display's refresh rate. — Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, "Our first-look photos of Apple’s new Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR," 4 June 2019 Incredibly, while Armageddon blazes at warp speed, its cadence is masterfully modulated: Assaultive action scenes, jaw-dropping outer space shots and small, personal moments orbit in narrative harmony under Bay's confident hand. — Duane Byrge, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Armageddon': THR's 1998 Review," 1 July 2019 Crowe’s Ailes also modulates his voice according to circumstance, switching codes and putting on voices of authority. — Troy Patterson, The New Yorker, "“The Loudest Voice” Eviscerates Roger Ailes and Fox News," 30 June 2019 Not exactly, but the whole bordering-on-believable novel is beautifully modulated and terrifically suspenseful. — Richard Lipez, Washington Post, "Looking for a summer thriller? Here are 9 picks for your beach bag.," 20 June 2019 Pain is modulated by context, expectations and experience, so what the practitioner says to the patient makes a big difference. — Cathryn Jakobson Ramin, Discover Magazine, "These Researchers Think We Can Retrain Our Brains to Tame Chronic Pain," 30 May 2019 This global wealth tax could generate $14 trillion per year to fund nonprofit solutions to solve unemployment, climate change, global poverty, affordable housing, health care, and modulate wealth inequality. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: Allow copper mining near BWCA — on two conditions," 20 June 2019 Knox says endocannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2 work in the lungs to modulate immune responses to inflammation. — Mary Emily O'hara, Allure, "Why People With Asthma Can Benefit From Edibles," 20 Apr. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for modulate
modulate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of modulate
formal
: to change the sound of (your voice) by making it quieter, higher, lower, etc.
music
: to move gradually from one key to another
: to change or adjust (something) so that it exists in a balanced or proper amount
See the full definition for modulate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
modulate
transitive verb
mod·u·late
| \ ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt
\
\
modulated;
modulating
Medical Definition of modulate
: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion
modulate an immune response modulate cell activity
Other Words from modulate
modulatory
\ -lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
\
adjective
\
adjective
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