Word
Definitions
01power or authority
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
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.
“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.”
Antonyms
02mechanical switches
B1 · Intermediate Plural noun Technology
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.
“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.”
Synonyms
03self-restraint
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the ability to stay calm and hide your strong feelings.
n. 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.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04scientific standard
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Academic
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.
“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.”
Antonyms
05to manage or direct
A2 · Elementary
v. to order, limit, or rule something or someone.
v. 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.”
06to restrain
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.
“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.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “control” in context.
Confusables
Control is the ongoing power to manage or regulate a system, while command is the specific authority to give orders or direct others.
RememberControl handles the machine; command orders the person.
Real-World Examples
“AI is becoming harder to control – can humans stay in charge?” “In an agreement Tuesday, two dozen tech firms voluntarily committed to implementing controls recommended by the White House, including undergoing independent safety audits that will test whether firms’ internal controls, monitoring, and detecting are actually working.” “Incidents of AIs escaping users’ control to lie, ignore instructions and pursue goals in harmful ways have hit a new high, according to research that also suggests the severity of deception and misalignment is worsening.” “President Donald Trump is moving to give the White House direct control of independent federal regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.” Etymology
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
01. milieu control
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/control
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR