control - Definition | Dictionary definition of control

Definition of control

Nouns

power to direct or determine

"under control"

Types:: show 12 types...; hide 12 types...; authorisation, authority, authorization, dominance, potency, say-so
the power or right to give orders or make decisions; power of appointment
authority given (in a will or deed) by a donor to a donee to appoint the beneficiaries of the donor's property; carte blanche
complete freedom or authority to act; command
the power or authority to command; imperium
supreme authority; absolute dominion; lordship
the authority of a lord; muscle
authority or power or force (especially when used in a coercive way); sovereignty
the authority of a state to govern another state; corporatism
control of a state or organization by large interest groups; hold
power by which something or someone is affected or dominated; iron fist
rigorous or ruthless control; rein
any means of control

Type of:: power, powerfulness
possession of controlling influence

a relation of constraint of one entity (thing or person or group) by another

"measures for the control of disease"

"they instituted controls over drinking on campus"

Type of:: relation
an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

(physiology) regulation or maintenance of a function or action or reflex etc

"the timing and control of his movements were unimpaired"

"he had lost control of his sphincters"

Types:: motor control
control of muscles

Type of:: activity, bodily function, bodily process, body process
an organic process that takes place in the body

a standard against which other conditions can be compared in a scientific experiment

"the control condition was inappropriate for the conclusions he wished to draw"

Synonyms:: control condition

Type of:: criterion, standard
the ideal in terms of which something can be judged

the activity of managing or exerting control over something

"the control of the mob by the police was admirable"

Types:: show 54 types...; hide 54 types...; repression
the act of repressing; control by holding down; crowd control
activity of controlling a crowd; damage control
an effort to minimize or curtail damage or loss; federalisation, federalization
the act of being put under federal control; flight control
control from ground stations of airplanes in flight by means of messages transmitted to the pilot electronically; flood control
(engineering) the art or technique of trying to control rivers with dams etc in order to minimize the occurrence of floods; imperialism
any instance of aggressive extension of authority; regulating, regulation
the act of controlling or directing according to rule; devaluation
an official lowering of a nation's currency; a decrease in the value of a country's currency relative to that of foreign countries; gun control
efforts to regulate or control sales of guns; indexation
a system of economic regulation: wages and interest are tied to the cost-of-living index in order to reduce the effects of inflation; timing
the regulation of occurrence, pace, or coordination to achieve a desired effect (as in music, theater, athletics, mechanics); limitation, restriction
an act of limiting or restricting (as by regulation); internal control
an accounting procedure or system designed to promote efficiency or assure the implementation of a policy or safeguard assets or avoid fraud and error etc.; inventory control
supervision of the supply and storage and accessibility of items in order to insure an adequate supply without excessive oversupply; management control
an internal control performed by one or more managers; quality control
maintenance of standards of quality of manufactured goods; regularisation, regularization, regulation
the act of bringing to uniformity; making regular; ownership, possession
the act of having and controlling property; actual possession
(law) immediate and direct physical control over property; constructive possession
(law) having the power and intention to have and control property but without direct control or actual presence upon it; criminal possession
(law) possession for which criminal sanctions are provided because the property may not lawfully be possessed or may not be possessed under certain circumstances; holding, keeping, retention
the act of retaining something; possession
(sport) the act of controlling the ball (or puck); power trip
(slang) a self-aggrandizing action undertaken simply for the pleasure of exercising control over other people; riot control, riot control operation
the measures taken to control a riot; grasping, prehension, seizing, taking hold
the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles); clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold
the act of grasping; steerage, steering
the act of steering a ship; direction, guidance, steering
the act of setting and holding a course; driving
the act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animal; aim
the action of directing something at an object; navigation, pilotage, piloting
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place; celestial guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile or spacecraft by reference to the positions of celestial bodies; inertial guidance, inertial navigation
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to inertial forces; command guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by commands originating from the ground or from another missile; terrestrial guidance
a method of controlling the flight of a missile by devices that respond to the strength and direction of the earth's gravitational field; self-control, self-denial, self-discipline
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses; abstinence
act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite; ascesis, asceticism
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint; mortification
(Christianity) the act of mortifying the lusts of the flesh by self-denial and privation (especially by bodily pain or discomfort inflicted on yourself); traffic control
control of the flow of traffic in a building or a city; point duty
the control of traffic by a policeman stationed at an intersection; price-fixing
control (by agreement among producers or by government) of the price of a commodity in interstate commerce; restraint
the act of controlling by restraining someone or something; collar, leash
a figurative restraint; damper
a depressing restraint; bridle, check, curb
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess; immobilisation, immobilization, immobilizing
the act of limiting movement or making incapable of movement; confinement
the act of restraining of a person's liberty by confining them; containment
the act of containing; keeping something from spreading; curtailment, suppression
the act of withholding or withdrawing some book or writing from publication or circulation; restraint of trade
any act that tends to prevent free competition in business; confinement, restriction
the act of keeping something within specified bounds (by force if necessary)

Type of:: activity
any specific behavior

the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

Synonyms:: ascendance, ascendancy, ascendence, ascendency, dominance

Types:: show 12 types...; hide 12 types...; ascendant, ascendent
position or state of being dominant or in control; domination, mastery, supremacy
power to dominate or defeat; superiority, transcendence, transcendency
the state of excelling or surpassing or going beyond usual limits; predominance, predomination, prepotency
the state of being predominant over others; dominion, rule
dominance or power through legal authority; paramountcy
the state of being paramount; the highest rank or authority; raj
British dominion over India (1757-1947); reign, sovereignty
royal authority; the dominion of a monarch; suzerainty
the position or authority of a suzerain; regulation
the state of being controlled or governed; absolutism, despotism, tyranny
dominance through threat of punishment and violence; monopoly
exclusive control or possession of something

Type of:: condition, status
a state at a particular time

discipline in personal and social activities

"she never lost control of herself"

Synonyms:: restraint

Antonyms:: unrestraint
the quality of lacking restraint

Types:: show 8 types...; hide 8 types...; self-restraint, temperateness
exhibiting restraint imposed on the self; stiff upper lip
self-restraint in the expression of emotion (especially fear or grief); moderation, temperance
the trait of avoiding excesses; dryness, sobriety
moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs; abstemiousness
moderation in eating and drinking; inhibition
the quality of being inhibited; taboo, tabu
an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion; continence
voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge

Type of:: discipline
the trait of being well behaved

great skillfulness and knowledge of some subject or activity

Synonyms:: command, mastery

Type of:: skillfulness
the state of being cognitively skillful

a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine

"the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly"

"I turned the controls over to her"

Synonyms:: controller

Types:: show 40 types...; hide 40 types...; cruise control
control mechanism for keeping an automobile at a set speed; dial
the control on a radio or television set that is used for tuning; disk controller
(computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive; governor, regulator
a control that maintains a steady speed in a machine (as by controlling the supply of fuel); flywheel
regulator consisting of a heavy wheel that stores kinetic energy and smooths the operation of a reciprocating engine; timer
a regulator that activates or deactivates a mechanism at set times; handwheel
control consisting of a wheel whose rim serves as the handle by which a part is operated; steering wheel, wheel
a handwheel that is used for steering; joystick
a manual control consisting of a vertical handle that can move freely in two directions; used as an input device to computers or to devices controlled by computers; regulator
any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.; aperture
a device that controls amount of light admitted; ball cock, ballcock
floating ball that controls level in a water tank; draft
a regulator for controlling the flow of air in a fireplace; faucet, spigot
a regulator for controlling the flow of a liquid from a reservoir; peg
regulator that can be turned to regulate the pitch of the strings of a stringed instrument; petcock
regulator consisting of a small cock or faucet or valve for letting out air or releasing compression or draining; register
a regulator (as a sliding plate) for regulating the flow of air into a furnace or other heating device; escape, escape cock, escape valve, relief valve, safety valve
a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level; floodgate, head gate, penstock, sluice valve, sluicegate, water gate
regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice; thermoregulator, thermostat
a regulator for automatically regulating temperature by starting or stopping the supply of heat; electric switch, electrical switch, switch
control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit; commutator
switch for reversing the direction of an electric current; cutout
a switch that interrupts an electric circuit in the event of an overload; ignition switch
switch that operates a solenoid that closes a circuit to operate the starter; button, push, push button
an electrical switch operated by pressing; selector, selector switch
a switch that is used to select among alternatives; three-point switch, three-way switch
an electric switch that has three terminals; used to control a circuit from two different locations; time-switch
a switch set to operate at a desired time; on-off switch, on/off switch, toggle, toggle switch
a hinged switch that can assume either of two positions; valve
control consisting of a mechanical device for controlling the flow of a fluid; accelerator, throttle, throttle valve
a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine; ball valve
any valve that checks flow by the seating of a ball; butterfly valve
a valve in a carburetor that consists of a disc that turns and acts as a throttle; choke
a valve that controls the flow of air into the carburetor of a gasoline engine; clack, clack valve, clapper valve
a simple valve with a hinge on one side; allows fluid to flow in only one direction; exhaust valve
a valve through which burned gases from a cylinder escape into the exhaust manifold; intake valve
a valve that controls the flow of fluid through an intake; poppet, poppet valve
a mushroom-shaped valve that rises perpendicularly from its seat; commonly used in internal-combustion engines; escape, escape cock, escape valve, relief valve, safety valve
a valve in a container in which pressure can build up (as a steam boiler); it opens automatically when the pressure reaches a dangerous level; slide valve
valve that opens and closes a passageway by sliding over a port

Type of:: mechanism
device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

a spiritual agency that is assumed to assist the medium during a seance

Type of:: disembodied spirit, spirit
any incorporeal supernatural being that can become visible (or audible) to human beings

the economic policy of controlling or limiting or curbing prices or wages etc.

"they wanted to repeal all the legislation that imposed economic controls"

Types:: show 6 types...; hide 6 types...; price control
restriction on maximum prices that is established and maintained by the government (as during periods of war or inflation); cap, ceiling, roof
an upper limit on what is allowed; glass ceiling
a ceiling based on attitudinal or organizational bias in the work force that prevents minorities and women from advancing to leadership positions; base, floor
a lower limit; price floor
floor below which prices are not allowed to fall; wage floor
floor below which wages are not allowed to fall

Type of:: economic policy
a government policy for maintaining economic growth and tax revenues

Verbs

exercise authoritative control or power over

"control the budget"

Synonyms:: command

Types:: show 53 types...; hide 53 types...; preoccupy
engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively; ghost, haunt, obsess
haunt like a ghost; pursue; prepossess
cause to be preoccupied; channelise, channelize, direct, guide, head, maneuver, manoeuver, manoeuvre, point, steer
direct the course; determine the direction of travelling; dock
maneuver into a dock; sheer
cause to sheer; pull over
steer a vehicle to the side of the road; helm
be at or take the helm of; crab
direct (an aircraft) into a crosswind; navigate
direct carefully and safely; stand out
steer away from shore, of ships; starboard
turn to the right, of helms or rudders; conn
conduct or direct the steering of a ship or plane; navigate, pilot
act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance; canalise, canalize, channel
direct the flow of; corner, tree
force a person or an animal into a position from which he cannot escape; park
maneuver a vehicle into a parking space; steer
direct (oneself) somewhere; hold one's own
maintain one's position and be in control of a situation; care, deal, handle, manage
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; administer, administrate
work in an administrative capacity; supervise or be in charge of; organise, organize
cause to be structured or ordered or operating according to some principle or idea; work
cause to operate or function; come to grips, get to grips
deal with (a problem or a subject); dispose of
deal with or settle; mind, take care
be in charge of or deal with; coordinate
bring into common action, movement, or condition; juggle
deal with simultaneously; process
deal with in a routine way; misconduct, mishandle, mismanage
manage badly or incompetently; direct
be in charge of; carry on, conduct, deal
direct the course of; manage or control; touch
deal with; usually used with a form of negation; internationalise, internationalize
put under international control; hold
take and maintain control over, often by violent means; hold sway
be master; reign or rule; govern
direct or strongly influence the behavior of; regiment
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization; monopolise, monopolize
have and control fully and exclusively; draw rein, harness, rein, rein in
control and direct with or as if by reins; corner
gain control over; preside
act as president; dominate, master
have dominance or the power to defeat over; command
be in command of; subject, subjugate
make subservient; force to submit or subdue; becharm, charm
control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft; bewitch, enchant, glamour, hex, jinx, witch
cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something; govern, rule
exercise authority over; as of nations; throne
sit on the throne as a ruler; misgovern
govern badly; dictate
rule as a dictator; reign
have sovereign power; call the shots, call the tune, wear the trousers
exercise authority or be in charge

lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

"control your anger"

Synonyms:: check, contain, curb, hold, hold in, moderate

Types:: show 37 types...; hide 37 types...; bound, confine, limit, restrain, restrict, throttle, trammel
place limits on (extent or access); reduce, tighten
narrow or limit; tie
limit or restrict to; gate
restrict (school boys') movement to the dormitory or campus as a means of punishment; draw a line, draw the line
reasonably object (to) or set a limit (on); mark off, mark out
set boundaries to and delimit; harness, rein, rule
keep in check; baffle, regulate
check the emission of (sound); cramp, halter, hamper, strangle
prevent the progress or free movement of; constrain, stiffen, tighten, tighten up
restrict; clamp down, crack down
repress or suppress (something regarded as undesirable); inhibit
limit the range or extent of; constrain, cumber, encumber, restrain
hold back; conquer, curb, inhibit, stamp down, subdue, suppress
to put down by force or authority; blink, blink away, wink
force to go away by blinking; dampen, stifle
smother or suppress; choke back, choke down, choke off
suppress; hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, silence, still
cause to be quiet or not talk; burke
get rid of, silence, or suppress; silence
keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure; quell, quench, squelch
suppress or crush completely; muffle, repress, smother, stifle, strangle
conceal or hide; damp
restrain or discourage; crucify, mortify, subdue
hold within limits and control; mortify
practice self-denial of one's body and appetites; abnegate, deny
deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure; restrict
place under restrictions; limit access to; classify
declare unavailable, as for security reasons; taboo
declare as sacred and forbidden; scant, skimp
limit in quality or quantity; localise, localize
restrict something to a particular area; train
cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it; trellis
train on a trellis, as of a vine; catch
check oneself during an action; bate
moderate or restrain; lessen the force of; thermostat
control the temperature with a thermostat; counteract, countercheck
oppose or check by a counteraction

Type of:: hold back, keep, keep back, restrain
keep under control; keep in check

handle and cause to function

"control the lever"

Synonyms:: operate; master
have a firm understanding or knowledge of; be on top of

Types:: show 24 types...; hide 24 types...; synchronise, synchronize
operate simultaneously; dial
operate a dial to select a telephone number; turn
alter the functioning or setting of; submarine
control a submarine; treadle
operate (machinery) by a treadle; relay
control or operate by relay; gate
control with a valve or other device that functions like a gate; pedal
operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument; drive
operate or control a vehicle; coach
drive a coach; test drive
test a vehicle by driving it; drive
move by being propelled by a force; tool
drive; aviate, fly, pilot
operate an airplane; fly blind
fly an airplane solely by relying on instruments; fly contact
fly a plane by using visible landmarks or points of reference; solo
fly alone, without a co-pilot or passengers; test fly
test a plane; jet
fly a jet plane; glide
fly in or as if in a glider plane; hydroplane, seaplane
glide on the water in a hydroplane; balloon
ride in a hot-air balloon; flat-hat, hedgehop
fly very close to the ground; hang glide, soar
fly by means of a hang glider

Type of:: manipulate
hold something in one's hands and move it

control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage

"She is a very controlling mother and doesn't let her children grow up"

Synonyms:: keep in line, manipulate

Types:: show 4 types...; hide 4 types...; tease
to arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them; handle
show and train; ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts; cotton up, cozy up, play up, shine up, sidle up, suck up
ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior

Type of:: interact
act together or towards others or with others

check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

"Are you controlling for the temperature?"

Synonyms:: verify; ascertain, assure, check, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

Type of:: essay, examine, prove, test, try, try out
put to the test, as for its quality, or give experimental use to

verify by using a duplicate register for comparison

"control an account"

Type of:: ascertain, assure, check, control, ensure, insure, see, see to it
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

"control the quality of the product"

Synonyms:: ascertain, assure, check, ensure, insure, see, see to it; check off, mark, mark off, tick, tick off
put a check mark on or near or next to; determine, find out, learn, watch
find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort; verify
check or regulate (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment or comparing with another standard

Types:: show 8 types...; hide 8 types...; proof, proofread
read for errors; control
verify by using a duplicate register for comparison; double-check
check once more to be absolutely sure; cross-check
check out conflicting sources; crosscheck facts, for example; cinch
make sure of; card
ask someone for identification to determine whether he or she is old enough to consume liquor; spot-check
pick out random samples for examination in order to ensure high quality; cover
maintain a check on; especially by patrolling