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Definition control in British English

control verb

[transitive] verb
/kənˈtrəʊl/
1

to have the power to make decisions and decide what will happen to something

Example

Most of the news media were controlled by the central government.

Example

a property company that controls assets worth £650 million

Example

A rebel army was now controlling the northern half of the country.

Synonyms and related words
bureaucratise bureaucratize micromanage
2

to make people behave in the way that you want them to behave

Example

New teachers often find it difficult to control their classes.

Example

The generals who seized power used terror to control the people.

Synonyms and related words
limit tie down control
3

to make a machine, system, vehicle etc move or operate in the way that you want it to

Example

The surgeon controls the device remotely using a computer terminal.

Example

I hit a patch of ice and couldn't control the car.

Example

The flow of water is controlled by a series of valves.

Synonyms and related words
activate actuate coax
4

to prevent something harmful from spreading or becoming more dangerous

Example

We must do more to control the spread of the virus.

Example

a new package of regulations, aimed at controlling pollution and minimizing waste

Synonyms and related words
interfere with inhibit disrupt
5

to keep something at the correct level

Example

The temperature in the museum is carefully controlled.

Example

the parts of the brain that control our breathing

Synonyms and related words
draw a line in the sand limit control
5.1

to prevent something from increasing too much or too quickly

Example

Our two priorities are encouraging investment and controlling inflation.

Example

Spending in the company was tightly controlled.

Synonyms and related words
interfere with inhibit disrupt
6

to remain calm and not show that you are angry or upset

Example

Carol struggled to control her anger.

Example

I could hardly control my temper.

Example

If you can't learn to control yourself, you'll have to leave.

Synonyms and related words
manage suppress deal with
Definition control in British English

Related Words

Words related to control:

air traffic control (noun) arms control (noun) biological control (noun) birth control (noun) coercive control (noun) control (noun) control (verb) control freak (noun) control key (noun) control room (noun) control tower (noun) cruise control (noun) damage control (noun) due to unforeseen circumstances (phrase) reasons beyond someone’s control (phrase) ground control (noun) gun control (noun) in control (phrase) mission control (noun) oral contraceptive (noun) out of control (phrase) passport control (noun) price control (noun) quality control (noun) remote control (noun) self-control (noun) stock control (noun) under control (phrase) under someone’s (phrase)