# control

/kənˈtɹoʊɫ/ (US) · /kəntɹˈəʊl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/control
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. power or authority

noun · CEFR A2

the power to make decisions about how something is run or how people behave.

For teachers: the power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events. Often uncountable in this sense.

- The new manager is now in control of the entire sales department.
- The military junta struggled to maintain control over the remote provinces as communication lines were repeatedly severed by the opposition.

### 2. mechanical switches

noun · CEFR B1

the switches, buttons, or levers that you use to operate a machine or vehicle.

For teachers: the physical interface or mechanisms used to regulate the operation of a machine, aircraft, or electronic system.

- The pilot sat at the controls and prepared the plane for takeoff.
- The operator monitored the reactor's controls, ready to initiate an emergency shutdown if the pressure exceeded safety thresholds.

### 3. self-restraint

noun · CEFR B2

the ability to stay calm and hide your strong feelings.

For teachers: the ability to restrain one's emotions, impulses, or physical movements.

- It took a lot of control for him not to get angry during the argument.
- Despite the provocative questioning from the press, the minister maintained perfect control and refused to be drawn into a public spat.

### 4. scientific standard

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a group or subject in an experiment that is not changed, used to compare results.

For teachers: a person, group, or event used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a survey or experiment.

- One group received the new medicine, while the control group received a sugar pill.
- The researchers established a rigorous control to ensure that the observed growth was due to the nutrient solution rather than environmental factors.

### 5. to manage or direct

verb · CEFR A2

to order, limit, or rule something or someone.

For teachers: to exercise authoritative or dominating influence over a person, organisation, or process.

- The government tried to control the price of bread to help the poor.
- The central bank raised interest rates in a strategic attempt to control inflation and stabilise the national currency.

### 6. to restrain

verb · CEFR B1

to stop something from increasing or spreading, or to keep your feelings hidden.

For teachers: to hold in check or curb a physical process or an emotional impulse.

- Firefighters worked through the night to control the forest fire.
- She struggled to control her laughter when she saw his ridiculous costume, eventually having to leave the room to compose herself.

## Examples

- The teacher struggles to keep control of the noisy classroom.
- The pilot takes manual control of the airplane when the automatic system fails during the storm.
- The government introduced strict price controls to curb inflation, though economists warned the policy might lead to widespread shortages in the long run.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.