Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense controls, present participle controlling, past tense, past participle controlled
1. uncountable noun
Controlof an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
The restructuring involves Mr Ronson giving up control of the company. [+ of]
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic'sterritory. [+ over]
1.
See in control
2.
See under one's control
2. uncountable noun
If you have control of something or someone, you are able to make them do what you want them to do.
He lost control of his car. [+ of]
Some teachers have more control over pupils than their parents have. [+ over]
3. uncountable noun
If you show control, you prevent yourself behaving in an angry or emotional way.
He had a terrible temper, and sometimes he would completely lose control.
He was working hard to keep control of himself.
Synonyms: self-discipline, cool [slang], calmness, self-restraint More Synonyms of control
4. verb
The people who control an organization or place have the power to take all the important decisions aboutthe way that it is run.
He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California. [VERB noun]
The majority of companies are controlled by oligarchs or by the Government. [VERB noun]
Minebea ended up selling its controlling interest in both firms. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: have power over, lead, rule, manage More Synonyms of control
-controlledcombining form
AGA Gas is Swedish-controlled.
...the state-controlled media.
5. verb
To control a piece of equipment, process, or system means to make it work in the way that you want it to work.
...a computerised system to control the gates. [VERB noun]
Scientists would soon be able to manipulate human genes to control the ageing process. [VERB noun]
...the controlled production of energy from sugar by a cell. [VERB-ed]
-controlledcombining form
...computer-controlled traffic lights.
6. verb
When a government controls prices, wages, or the activity of a particular group, it uses its power to restrict them.
The federal government tried to control rising health-care costs. [VERB noun]
...measures to control illegal mining. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: limit, restrict, curb, delimit More Synonyms of control
Control is also a noun.
Control of inflation remains the government's absolute priority. [+ of]
7. verb
If you controlyourself, or if you control your feelings, voice, or expression, you make yourself behave calmly even though you are feeling angry, excited, or upset.
Jo was advised to learn to control herself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
I just couldn't control my temper. [VERB noun]
controlledadjective
Her manner was quiet and very controlled.
8. verb
To control something dangerous means to prevent it from becoming worse or from spreading.
...the need to control environmental pollution. [VERB noun]
One of the biggest tasks will be to control the spread of malaria. [VERB noun]
9. countable noun
A control is a device such as a switch or lever which you use in order to operate a machine or other piece of equipment.
I practised operating the controls.
...the control box.
See at the controls
10. variable noun
Controls are the methods that a government uses to restrict increases, for example in prices, wages, or weapons.
Critics question whether price controls would do any good.
Their talks are expected to focus on arms control.
They have very strict gun control in Sweden.
11. variable noun [noun NOUN]
Control is used to refer to a place where your documents or luggage are officially checked when you enter a foreign country.
He went straight through Passport Control without incident.
...an agreement to abolish border controls.
12. See also air traffic control, birth control, quality control, remote control, stock control
13.
See out of control
14.
See under control
More Synonyms of control
control in British English
(kənˈtrəʊl)
verbWord forms: -trols, -trolling or -trolled(transitive)
1.
to command, direct, or rule
to control a country
2.
to check, limit, curb, or regulate; restrain
to control one's emotions
to control a fire
3.
to regulate or operate (a machine)
4.
to verify (a scientific experiment) by conducting a parallel experiment in which the variable being investigated is held constant or is compared with a standard
5.
a.
to regulate (financial affairs)
b.
to examine and verify (financial accounts)
6.
to restrict or regulate the authorized supply of (certain substances, such as drugs)
noun
7.
power to direct or determine
under control
out of control
8.
a means of regulation or restraint; curb; check
a frontier control
9. (often plural)
a device or mechanism for operating a car, aircraft, etc
10.
a standard of comparison used in a statistical analysis or scientific experiment
11.
a.
a device that regulates the operation of a machine. A dynamic control is one that incorporates a governor so that it responds to the output of the machine it regulates
b.
(as modifier)
control panel
control room
12. spiritualism
an agency believed to assist the medium in a séance
13. Also called: control mark
a letter, or letter and number, printed on a sheet of postage stamps, indicating authenticity, date, and series of issue
14.
one of a number of checkpoints on a car rally, orienteering course, etc, where competitors check in and their time, performance, etc, is recorded
Derived forms
controllable (conˈtrollable)
adjective
controllability (conˌtrollaˈbility) or controllableness (conˈtrollableness)
noun
controllably (conˈtrollably)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Old French conteroller to regulate, from contrerolle duplicate register, system of checking, from contre-counter- + rolleroll
control in American English
(kənˈtroʊl)
verb transitiveWord forms: conˈtrolled or conˈtrolling
1. Obsolete
to check or verify (payments, accounts, etc.) by comparison with a duplicate register
2.
to regulate (financial affairs)
3.
to verify (an experiment) by comparison with a standard or by other experiments
4.
to exercise authority over; direct; command
5.
to operate or regulate
this knob controls the volume of sound
6.
to hold back; curb; restrain
control your grief
noun
7.
the act or fact of controlling; power to direct or regulate; ability to use effectively
her control over her passions, the violinist's control of his vibrato
8.
the condition of being directed or restrained; restraint
the car went out of control
9.
a means of controlling; check
wage and price controls
10.
a standard of comparison for verifying or checking the findings of an experiment; specif., such a standard obtained by withholding the substance, treatment, drug, etc. being tested
11.
a.
an instrument or apparatus to regulate a mechanism
usually used in pl.
b.
a device used to adjust or control
the volume control on an amplifier
12.
a spirit supposed to direct the actions and speech of a spiritualistic medium
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈconˌduct, ˈpower
Derived forms
controllability (conˌtrollaˈbility)
noun
controllable (conˈtrollable)
adjective
Word origin
ME countrollen < Anglo-Fr contreroller < Fr contrerole < ML contrarotulus, a counter, register < L contra, against + rotulus: see roll
control in Mechanical Engineering1
(kəntroʊl)
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Control, instrumentation and metrology)
Control of a machine or process is designing it so that it behaves in a particular way, by continually measuring the output and changing the input in response.
The way in which furnace temperature is held constant by use of a thermostat is asimple example of control.
These valves are widely used in the automatic control of steam and other industrial fluids.
Control of a machine or process is designing it so that it behaves in a particular way, bycontinually measuring the output and changing the input in response.
control loop, cruise control
control in Mechanical Engineering2
(kəntroʊl)
Word forms: (regular plural) controls
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Machinery and components)
A control is a device that regulates how a machine operates.
The machine has a control that allows the operator to adjust it to the most efficient operating speed.
The battery master switch is a control that cuts power from the battery to the other components of the vehicle.
A control is a device that regulates how a machine operates.
control in Accounting1
(kəntroʊl)
Word forms: (present) controls, (past) controlled, (perfect) controlled, (progressive) controlling
verb
(Accounting: Basic)
If you control financial affairs, you regulate them.
By controlling all financial supervision, the commission would be in a much better position thantoday's regulators to judge when firms need assistance.
In the country's tightly controlled financial system, savers have little choice.
If you control financial affairs, you regulate them.
control in Accounting2
(kəntroʊl)
Word forms: (present) controls, (past) controlled, (perfect) controlled, (progressive) controlling
verb
(Accounting: Financial statements)
If you control financial accounts, you examine them and check that they are correct.
Large brokerage firms have knowledge of highly specialized insurance markets andcontrol the accounts of large corporate insurance buyers.
Their lawyer controlled the account and the funds were disbursed from the account to discharge the company'sfinancial obligations.
If you control financial accounts, you examine them and check that they are correct.
COBUILD Collocations
control
complete control
strict controls
tight controls
total control
Examples of 'control' in a sentence
control
But the road was narrow and the offside wheels were on to the grass verge in the brief moment before he regained full control.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
She was still talking, but she'd regained control of herself.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2001)
You return to the Keep and try to keep things under control.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
Quotations
Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the pastGeorge OrwellNineteen Eighty-Four
Who can control his fate?William ShakespeareOthello
In other languages
control
British English: control /kənˈtrəʊl/ NOUN
Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
The restructuring involves him giving up control of the company.
American English: control
Arabic: تَـحَكُّم
Brazilian Portuguese: controle
Chinese: 控制
Croatian: kontrola
Czech: moc
Danish: kontrol
Dutch: beheersing
European Spanish: control dominio
Finnish: hallinta
French: contrôle
German: Kontrolle
Greek: έλεγχος
Italian: controllo
Japanese: 支配
Korean: 통제
Norwegian: kontroll
Polish: kontrola
European Portuguese: controlo
Romanian: control
Russian: управление
Latin American Spanish: control
Swedish: kontroll
Thai: การควบคุมดูแล
Turkish: denetim
Ukrainian: контроль
Vietnamese: sự kiểm soát
British English: control /kənˈtrəʊl/ VERB
The people who control an organization or place have the power to take all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
He controls the largest company in the country.
American English: control
Arabic: يَتَحَكَّمُ في
Brazilian Portuguese: controlar
Chinese: 控制
Croatian: kontrolirati
Czech: ovládat
Danish: kontrollere
Dutch: beheersen
European Spanish: controlar dominar
Finnish: hallita pitää hallinnassaan
French: contrôler
German: kontrollieren
Greek: ελέγχω
Italian: controllare
Japanese: 支配する
Korean: 통제하다
Norwegian: kontrollere
Polish: skontrolować
European Portuguese: controlar
Romanian: a conduce
Russian: управлять
Latin American Spanish: controlar
Swedish: reglage
Thai: ควบคุม
Turkish: denetlemek kontrol
Ukrainian: контролювати
Vietnamese: kiểm soát
All related terms of 'control'
control key
a key on the keyboard of a computer that is used in conjunction with the standard keys in order to initiate a specific function, such as editing
control rod
one of a number of rods or tubes containing a neutron absorber , such as boron , that can be inserted into or retracted from the core of a nuclear reactor in order to control its rate of reaction
gun control
Gun control refers to the laws that restrict the possession and use of guns.
in control
If you are in control of something, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way it is run .
arms control
an agreement between two or more countries to reduce the number of weapons owned, with the aim of preventing war
ball control
the skill of controlling the ball in a game such as football or tennis
birth control
Birth control means planning whether to have children , and using contraception to prevent having them when they are not wanted .
control chart
a chart on which observed values of a variable are plotted , usually against the expected value of the variable and its allowable deviation , so that excessive variations in the quality, quantity , etc, of the variable can be detected
control freak
If you say that someone is a control freak , you mean that they want to be in control of every situation they find themselves in.
control grid
a network of horizontal and vertical lines superimposed over a map , building plan, etc, for locating points
control group
any group used as a control in a statistical experiment , esp a group of patients who receive either a placebo or a standard drug during an investigation of the effects of another drug on other patients
control knob
a knob on an electrical or electronic appliance for regulating heat, volume , etc
control loop
A control loop is a series of control operations , including measuring an output , establishing what the output should be, and taking action to correct it.
control mark
to command , direct, or rule
control panel
the part of a machine or piece of equipment that houses the controls
control point
a point at which a potential hazard can be controlled, such as in food production
control room
a room from which a system, network , or piece of equipment is controlled
control stick
the lever by which a pilot controls the lateral and longitudinal movements of an aircraft
control tower
A control tower is a building at an airport from which instructions are given to aircraft when they are taking off or landing . You can also refer to the people who work in a control tower as the control tower .
control unit
the part of the computer that processes hardware , software , and user inputs and directs their implementation
cost control
the limiting of expenditure
crowd control
the management of crowds at sporting events, demonstrations , etc, to prevent trouble
dual-control
having dual controls
fire control
the procedures by which weapons are brought to engage a target
flood control
the technique or practice of preventing or controlling floods with dams , artificial channels , etc
flow control
Flow control is the control and monitoring of fluids in a process.
pain control
methods for the relief and management of pain
pest control
killing of animal pests such as foxes , rats , mice
price control
the establishment and maintenance of maximum price levels for basic goods and services by a government, esp during periods of war or inflation
radio control
remote control by means of radio signals from a transmitter
rent control
regulation by law of the rent landlords can charge for domestic accommodation and of their right to evict tenants
riot control
the activity of quelling or containing a riot
self-control
Self-control is the ability to not show your feelings or not do the things that your feelings make you want to do.
state control
control by the government
stock control
Stock control is the activity of making sure that a company always has exactly the right amount of goods available to sell .
tone control
a device in a radio , etc by which the relative intensities of high and low frequencies may be varied
total control
Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run .
under control
If something harmful is under control , it is being dealt with successfully and is unlikely to cause any more harm .
climate control
air conditioning in a building or vehicle
control account
an account to which are posted the debit and credit totals of other accounts, usually in preparation of financial statements
control column
a lever or pillar , usually fitted with a handwheel , used to control the movements of an aircraft
control command
a keyed instruction conveyed to a computer by using the control key in conjunction with the standard keys
control surface
a movable surface, such as a rudder , elevator , aileron , etc, that controls an aircraft or rocket
control system
a system that senses , switches , or regulates another system
credit control
(in a business) the practice of maximizing revenue by making sure that customers are a good credit risk
cruise control
a system in a road vehicle that automatically maintains a selected speed until cancelled
damage control
Damage control is action that is taken to make the bad results of something as small as possible , when it is impossible to avoid bad results completely.
flight control
control of airborne aircraft by means of messages sent from a ground station to the pilot
ground control
the personnel , radar , computers, etc, on the ground that monitor the progress of aircraft or spacecraft
mission control
Mission control is the group of people on Earth who are in charge of a flight by a spacecraft, or the place where these people work.
Chinese translation of 'control'
control
(kənˈtrəul)
vt
[country, organization]统(統)治 (tǒngzhì)
[person, emotion, disease, fire]控制 (kòngzhì)
[machine, process]操纵(縱) (cāozòng)
[wages, prices]管制 (guǎnzhì)
n(u)
[of country, organization]控制权(權) (kòngzhì quán)
[of people]指挥(揮)能力 (zhǐhuī nénglì)
[of vehicle, machine]控制 (kòngzhì)
to control o.s.克制自己 (kèzhì zìjǐ)
to take control (of sth)控制住(某事) (kòngzhì zhù (mǒushì))
to lose control (of sth) (emotionally) 克制不住(某事) (kèzhì bù zhù (mǒushì)) (in vehicle, on machine) 失去(对(對)某物的)控制 (shīqù (duì mǒuwù de) kòngzhì)
to keep control (of sth)保持(对(對)某物的)控制 (bǎochí (duì mǒuwù de) kòngzhì)
to keep control of o.s.控制自己 (kòngzhì zìjǐ)
to be in control (of sth) (of situation, car) 控制着(著)(某事) (kòngzhì zhe (mǒushì))
to be under control[fire, situation]处(處)于(於)控制之下 (chǔ yú kòngzhì zhī xià)
to be out of control[fire, situation]失去控制 (shīqù kòngzhì)
the car went out of control那辆(輛)车(車)失控了 (nà liàng chē shīkòng le)
不在我们(們)控制之中的情况(況) bù zài wǒmen kòngzhì zhī zhōng de qíngkuàng
to remain silent/in control
保持沉默/仍然控制局面 bǎochí chénmò/réngrán kòngzhì júmiàn
the car went out of control
那辆(輛)车(車)失控了 nà liàng chē shīkòng le
immigration
( process ) 移民 yímín
CDC
Center for Disease Control 疾病控制中心 Jíbìng Kòngzhì Zhōngxīn
to keep control (of sth)
保持(对(對)某物的)控制 bǎochí (duì mǒuwù de) kòngzhì
to lose control (of sth)
( emotionally ) 克制不住(某事) kèzhì bù zhù (mǒushì)
to take control (of sth)
控制住(某事) kòngzhì zhù (mǒushì)
to be in control (of sth)
( of situation, car ) 控制着(著)(某事) kòngzhì zhe (mǒushì)
1 (noun)
Definition
power to direct something
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
Synonyms
power
women who have reached positions of great power and influence
government
rule
the winding-up of British rule over the territory
authority
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
management
the responsibility for its day-to-day management
direction
The house was built under the direction of his partner.
command
In 1942 he took command of 108 Squadron.
discipline
the need for strict discipline in military units
guidance
They improve their performance under the guidance of professional coaches.
supervision
First-time licence holders have to work under supervision.
jurisdiction
The British police have no jurisdiction over foreign bank accounts.
supremacy
mastery
a region where humans have gained mastery over the major rivers
superintendence
charge
2 (noun)
Definition
a curb or check
There are to be tighter controls on land speculation.
Synonyms
restraint
A Bill of Rights would act as a restraint on judicial power.
check
There is a check on the number of people allowed in the venue.
regulation
They also have responsibility for the regulation of nurseries.
brake
Illness had put a brake on his progress.
limitation
There is to be no limitation on the number of opposition parties.
curb
He called for much stricter curbs on spending.
3 (noun)
He had a terrible temper, and sometimes lost control completely.
Synonyms
self-discipline
cool (slang)
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
self-restraint
We've been exercising self-restraint in our resistance to occupation.
restraint
They behaved with more restraint than I'd expected.
coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
self-mastery
self-command
4 (noun)
She adjusted the temperature control.
Synonyms
switch
a light switch
instrument
navigation instruments
button
He pressed the `play' button.
dial
lever
knob
the volume knob
(plural noun)
Definition
instruments used to operate a machine
She would rather be at the controls of a plane than in the passenger section.
Synonyms
instruments
dash
dials
console
dashboard
control panel
1 (verb)
Definition
to have power over
He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California.You should not let other people control you.
Synonyms
have power over
lead
He led the country between 1949 and 1984.
rule
the feudal lord who ruled this land
manage
Within two years, he was managing the store.
boss (informal)
We cannot boss them into doing more.
direct
She will direct day-to-day operations.
handle
One report said the aircraft would become difficult to handle.
conduct
I decided to conduct an experiment.
dominate
No company should be permitted to dominate the market.
command
the French general who commands the UN troops in the region
pilot
Local fishermen piloted the boats.
govern
They go to the polls on Friday to choose the people they want to govern their country.
steer
What is it like to steer a ship of this size?
administer
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
oversee
Get a surveyor to oversee and inspect the various stages of the work.
supervise
One of his jobs was supervising the dining room.
manipulate
He's a very difficult character. He manipulates people.
She was unable, for once, to manipulate events.
call the shots
The directors call the shots.
call the tune
Who would then be calling the tune in Parliament?
reign over
keep a tight rein on
have charge of
superintend
During the interval, he superintended a prize draw.
have (someone) in your pocket
keep on a string
2 (verb)
Definition
to limit or restrain
The government tried to control rising health-care costs.
Synonyms
limit
He limited payments on the country's foreign debt.
restrict
a move to restrict the number of students on campus at any one time
curb
delimit
3 (verb)
Definition
to limit or restrain
Try to control that temper of yours.
Synonyms
restrain
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
limit
check
Today's meeting must focus on checking the spread of violence.
contain
The city authorities said the curfew had contained the violence.
master
She needs to master her fears of becoming ill.
curb
He must learn to curb that temper of his.
hold back
subdue
He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears.
repress
People who repress their emotions risk having nightmares.
constrain
I was constrained by family commitments.
bridle
I must learn to bridle my tongue.
rein in
Quotations
Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past [George Orwell – Nineteen Eighty-Four]Who can control his fate? [William Shakespeare – Othello]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of administer
Definition
to manage (an organization or estate)
Next summer's exams will be straightforward to administer.
Synonyms
manage,
run,
control,
rule,
direct,
handle,
conduct,
command,
govern,
oversee,
supervise,
preside over,
be in charge of,
superintend
in the sense of authority
Definition
the power to command, control, or judge others
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.