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

Addressing pain before an operation can make patients feel better post-op. Complementary and alternative techniques that address psychological factors can reduce pain and opioid use by modulating pain transmission in the nervous system and activating neurochemical pathways that promote pain relief. —Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024

Females flap their wings at around 500 Hz, after which males take off and start buzzing at about 800 Hz — rapidly modulating this frequency when the females are nearby, per the study. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

While small molecules are currently at the forefront of efforts to modulate the activity of lncRNAs, in the future, other tools such as CRISPR and RNA interference have also been described as potential therapeutic strategies. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

After the governor officially accepts the presentation, a steady drumbeat begins, and a musical, modulating chant, a sound pulling listeners back to a time before there was a city of Richmond on this spot. —Andrew Sharp, Outdoor Life, 27 Nov. 2024

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