Word
modulation
Phoneticsmod·u·la·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌmɑdʒəˈɫeɪʃən/
UK/mˌɒdjʊlˈeɪʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a change in the strength, tone, or pitch of something. You often hear this when someone changes their voice to sound more interesting or when music shifts to a different key.
n. the act of varying or adjusting a feature of something, such as the pitch of a voice or the frequency of a radio wave. In music, refers specifically to the transition from one key to another.
Examples
“Her voice has a beautiful modulation that keeps the audience interested.”
“The singer's subtle modulation between the verse and the chorus added a layer of emotional depth to the performance.”
“In telecommunications, digital modulation allows for the efficient transmission of data by varying the properties of a carrier wave to represent binary information.”
Examples
simple
“Her voice has a beautiful modulation that keeps the audience interested.”
contextual
“The singer's subtle modulation between the verse and the chorus added a layer of emotional depth to the performance.”
complex
“In telecommunications, digital modulation allows for the efficient transmission of data by varying the properties of a carrier wave to represent binary information.”
Usage
Often used with 'of' to specify what is being changed, such as 'modulation of the voice' or 'modulation of a signal'.
Real-World Examples
“They simulated different types of phase structures, including linear phase patterns and two forms of quadratic phase modulation that change how a pulse evolves in time.” “There is scarcely any dramatic modulation in Oriah’s character at all, whether imposed by the story or Reficco’s performance.” Etymology
From Late Middle English modulacion, modulacioun (“act of making music or singing; harmony; melody, song”), from Middle French modulation (modern French modulation), and directly from its etymon Latin modulātiō (“regular or rhythmical measure, modulation; inflection of tone; (architecture) calculation of measurements from a standard unit; (Late Latin) act of making music or singing; melody, song”), from modulātus (“modulated”) + -iō (suffix forming abstract nouns from verbs). Modulātus is a perfect participle of modulor (“to beat time; to make music or sing; to measure; etc.”), from modulus (“rhythmical measure, interval; rhythm; small interval or measure, etc.”) + -or (suffix forming certain inflections of verbs); and modulus is from modus (“measure; method; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *med- (“to measure; etc.”)) + -ulus (diminutive suffix). By surface analysis, modulat(e) + -ion (suffix denoting an action or process, or its result).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/modulation