modulate

verb

mod·​u·​late ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt 

modulated; modulating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

modulator

ˈmä-jə-ˌlā-tər 

noun

modulatory

ˈmä-jə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

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

Although the exact reasons are not yet known, this may be due to light's effects on increasing levels of cortisol, a hormone that modulates the stress response or the effect of light on the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotions. —Beth Ann Malow, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025

The study authors also found that the size of microplastic particles modulates their movement through the world’s atmosphere. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025

The bits are then modulated through frequency-shifting keying to produce the radio signal containing the telegrams. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 23 Jan. 2025

There are lots of strange actors currently who contort and modulate their bodies and looks by appealing to their distinctive features. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari to play, sing, from modulus small measure, rhythm, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

modulate

verb

mod·​u·​late ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt 

modulated; modulating

1

: to tune to a key or pitch

2

: to adjust or regulate to the proper proportion

especially : to tone down : soften

modulated his voice

3

: to vary a quality (as frequency or amplitude) of an electromagnetic wave for the transmission of information (as by radio)

modulator

-ˌlāt-ər 

noun

modulatory

-lə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Medical Definition

modulate

transitive verb

mod·​u·​late ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt 

modulated; modulating

: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion

modulate an immune response

modulate cell activity

modulatory

-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

adjective