control
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the power to make decisions about how something is run or how people behave.
n.the power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events. Often uncountable in this sense.
Simple“The new manager is now in control of the entire sales department.”
In context“The military junta struggled to maintain control over the remote provinces as communication lines were repeatedly severed by the opposition.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the switches, buttons, or levers that you use to operate a machine or vehicle.
n.the physical interface or mechanisms used to regulate the operation of a machine, aircraft, or electronic system.
Simple“The pilot sat at the controls and prepared the plane for takeoff.”
In context“The operator monitored the reactor's controls, ready to initiate an emergency shutdown if the pressure exceeded safety thresholds.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the ability to stay calm and hide your strong feelings.
n.the ability to restrain one's emotions, impulses, or physical movements.
Simple“It took a lot of control for him not to get angry during the argument.”
In context“Despite the provocative questioning from the press, the minister maintained perfect control and refused to be drawn into a public spat.”
SynonymsAntonymsimpulsiveness - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a group or subject in an experiment that is not changed, used to compare results.
n.a person, group, or event used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a survey or experiment.
Simple“One group received the new medicine, while the control group received a sugar pill.”
In context“The researchers established a rigorous control to ensure that the observed growth was due to the nutrient solution rather than environmental factors.”
- 05 A2 Elementary
v.to order, limit, or rule something or someone.
v.to exercise authoritative or dominating influence over a person, organisation, or process.
Simple“The government tried to control the price of bread to help the poor.”
In context“The central bank raised interest rates in a strategic attempt to control inflation and stabilise the national currency.”
- 06 B1 Intermediate
v.to stop something from increasing or spreading, or to keep your feelings hidden.
v.to hold in check or curb a physical process or an emotional impulse.
Simple“Firefighters worked through the night to control the forest fire.”
In context“She struggled to control her laughter when she saw his ridiculous costume, eventually having to leave the room to compose herself.”
control vs command — Control is the ongoing power to manage or regulate a system, while command is the specific authority to give orders or direct others.
Usage control group · control the narrative · control large
From Middle English controllen, from Old French contrerole, from Medieval Latin contrārotulum (“a counter-roll or register used to verify accounts”), from Latin contrā (“against, opposite”) + Medieval Latin rotulus, Latin rotula (“roll, a little wheel”), diminutive of rota (“a wheel”). Partly displaced native Old English wealdan and Old English wieldan, whence their merged reflex English wield.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.