# modulation

/ˌmɑdʒəˈɫeɪʃən/ (US) · /mˌɒdjʊlˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/modulation
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used with 'of' to specify what is being changed, such as 'modulation of the voice' or 'modulation of a signal'.

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