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Definition of "control" []

  • To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over; direct. See Synonyms at conduct. (verb-transitive)
  • To adjust to a requirement; regulate: controlled trading on the stock market; controls the flow of water. (verb-transitive)
  • To hold in restraint; check: struggled to control my temper. (verb-transitive)
  • To reduce or prevent the spread of: control insects; controlled the fire by dousing it with water. (verb-transitive)
  • To verify or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or by comparing with another standard. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "control" in a sentence
  • "If she can't control her campaign how the heck can she * control* the giant bureacracy that is our government?"
  • "Grant it; and for the very same reason we wish steam with all the world; not that we may control the world, for this is costly and unremunerative, as Great Britain finds; but to conform it, and especially to _control_ its commerce."
  • "The captain, must, therefore, control the company through the platoon commanders -- that is to say, he _actually directs_ the fire and the platoon commanders, assisted by the squad leaders, _actually control_ it."