modulate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb change the key of, in music
    • modulate the melody
  2. verb vary the pitch of one's speech
    inflect; tone.
  3. verb fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
    regulate.
    • regulate the temperature
    • modulate the pitch
  4. verb adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of
  5. verb vary the frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristic of (electromagnetic waves)

WordNet

Mod"u*late transitive verb
Etymology
L. modulatus, p.p. of modulari to measure, to modulate, fr. modulus a small measure, meter, melody, dim. of modus. See Mode.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Modulated ; present participle & verbal noun Modulating
Definitions
  1. To form, as sound, to a certain key, or to a certain portion.
  2. To vary or inflect in a natural, customary, or musical manner; as, the organs of speech modulate the voice in reading or speaking.
    Could any person so modulate her voice as to deceive so many? Broome.
Mod"u*late intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) To pass from one key into another.

Webster 1913