modulate
verb
mod·u·late
ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt 
modulated; modulating
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
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
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
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, modulating pain signaling and inflammation:
THC binds to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, altering pain perception.
—
Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
The next two clips feature that same podcast with the AIs’ voices modulated more and less subtly by a ring modulator:
Raw audio sample generated by Google’s NotebookLM
Your browser does not support the audio element.
—Barath Raghavan, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2025
The record offers a cohesively chaotic vision for the future — razor-sharp synths set ablaze in digital audio workstations, drums modulated to frequencies at the edge of the ear’s functional limit, and lyrics like mantras punching straight through to one’s lizard brain.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
Added to this are front cross-traffic alert, Proactive Driving Assist, which modulates braking and steering relative to other vehicles on the road, and Safe Exit Assist, which warns occupants if a vehicle or bicyclist is approaching from the rear to help avoid collisions when a door is opened.
—Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2025
The next two clips feature that same podcast with the AIs’ voices modulated more and less subtly by a ring modulator:
Raw audio sample generated by Google’s NotebookLM
Your browser does not support the audio element.
—Barath Raghavan, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2025
The record offers a cohesively chaotic vision for the future — razor-sharp synths set ablaze in digital audio workstations, drums modulated to frequencies at the edge of the ear’s functional limit, and lyrics like mantras punching straight through to one’s lizard brain.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2025
Added to this are front cross-traffic alert, Proactive Driving Assist, which modulates braking and steering relative to other vehicles on the road, and Safe Exit Assist, which warns occupants if a vehicle or bicyclist is approaching from the rear to help avoid collisions when a door is opened.
—Doug Newcomb, PCMAG, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modulate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
3
: to vary a quality (as frequency or amplitude) of an electromagnetic wave for the transmission of information (as by radio)
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
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