control

I. con‧trol¹ S1 W1 /kənˈtrəʊl $ -ˈtroʊl/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: controlling, ↑controllable ≠ ↑uncontrollable, ↑controlled ≠ ↑uncontrolled; noun: ↑control, ↑controller; verb: ↑control; adverb: uncontrollably]
1. MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO WHAT YOU WANT [uncountable] the ability or power to make someone or something do what you want or make something happen in the way you want:
The disease robs you of muscle control.
control of/over
Babies are born with very little control over their movements.
Artists like to have some control over where their works are hung in a gallery.
She’s a good teacher who has control of her class.
Students are encouraged to take control of their own learning, rather than just depending on the teacher.
Excessive drinking can make you lose control of your own life.
‘Do you need any help?’ ‘No. It’s under control, thanks.’
Dogs are allowed on the trails if they are kept under control.
The car spun out of control and hit a tree.
Flight delays do occur, for reasons that are outside our control.
2. POWER [uncountable] the power to make the decisions about how a country, place, company etc is organized or what it does:
The press was freed from political control.
control of
Jordan asked for editorial control of the project.
in control (of something)
Anti-government forces are still in control of the area.
By the end of the year, the rebels had control over the northern territories.
The Johnson family has effective control of the company, owning almost 60% of the shares.
China gained control of the island in 1683.
His son is being trained to take control of the family business.
The Democrats lost control of Congress in the last election.
under the control of somebody
The college was under the control of a group of trustees.
The whole of this area came under Soviet control after World War II.
The Conservatives are hoping to regain control of the city council.
3. WAY OF LIMITING SOMETHING [uncountable and countable] an action, method, or law that limits the amount or growth of something, especially something that is dangerous:
pest control
control of
the control of inflation
control on
The authorities imposed strict controls on the movement of cattle.
an agreement on arms control (=control of the amount of weapons a country has)
under control
Firefighters had the blaze under control by 9:44 p.m.
Shea used diet and exercise to bring her weight under control.
The Federal Reserve Bank raised interest rates to keep inflation under control.
rent/price/wage etc controls
Rent controls ensured that no one paid too much for housing.
tight/rigid controls (=strict controls)
the introduction of tighter controls on immigration
Police used fire hoses and dogs for crowd control.
4. ABILITY TO STAY CALM [uncountable] the ability to remain calm even when you feel very angry, upset, or excited:
There were sudden tears in his eyes and he paused, fighting for control.
Davidson lost control of himself and started yelling.
Small children can’t be expected to have the same self-control (=ability to control their emotions and behaviour) as an adult.
under control
Her voice is under control, but she is almost shaking with anger.
in control
I felt calm and in control.
5. MACHINE/VEHICLE [countable] the thing that you press or turn to make a machine, vehicle, television etc work:
the TV remote control
the volume control on the radio
a car with manual controls
at the controls (=controlling a vehicle or aircraft)
Belton, at the controls, made a perfect landing.
6. PEOPLE WHO ORGANIZE AN ACTIVITY [singular, uncountable] the people who direct an activity or who check that something is done correctly, the place where this is done, or the process of doing it:
air-traffic control
Please stop at passport control.
computers used for stock control
7. SCIENTIFIC TEST [countable]
a) a person, group etc against which you compare another person or group that is very similar, in order to see if a particular quality is caused by something or happens by chance
control group/population/sample etc
A control group of non-smoking women was compared to four groups of women smokers.
b) a thing that you already know the result for that is used in a scientific test, in order to show that your method is working correctly ⇨ ↑controlled experiment
8. COMPUTER [singular] (also control key) a particular button on a computer that allows you to do certain operations:
Press control and F2 to exit.
⇨ ↑birth control, ↑quality control, ↑remote control

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

control

con·trol [control controls controlled controlling] noun, verb [kənˈtrəʊl] [kənˈtroʊl]

noun

POWER
1. uncountable ~ (of/over sb/sth) the power to make decisions about how a country, an area, an organization, etc. is run
• The party is expecting to gain control of the council in the next election.
• The Democrats will probably lose control of Congress.
• A military junta took control of the country.
• The city is in the control of enemy forces.

• The city is under enemy control.

2. uncountable ~ (of/over sb/sth) the ability to make sb/sth do what you want
• The teacher had no control over the children.
• She struggled to keep control of her voice.
• She lost control of her car on the ice.
• He got so angry he lost control (= shouted and said or did things he would not normally do).
• Owing to circumstances beyond our control, the flight to Rome has been cancelled.
• The coach made the team work hard on ball control (= in a ball game).

see also self-control

LIMITING/MANAGING

3. uncountable, countable ~ (of/on sth) (often in compounds) the act of restricting, limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this
• traffic control
• talks on arms control
• government controls on trade and industry
• A new advance has been made in the control of malaria.
• Price controls on food were ended.
• a pest control officer

see also birth control, quality control

IN MACHINE

4. countable, usually plural the switches and buttons, etc. that you use to operate a machine or a vehicle
• the controls of an aircraft
• the control panel
• the volume control of a CD player
• The co-pilot was at the controls when the plane landed.
• a car with dual control(s) (= one set of controls for the driver and one for the instructor ).

see also remote control

IN EXPERIMENT

5. countable (technical) a person, thing or group used as a standard of comparison for checking the results of a scientific experiment; an experiment whose result is known, used for checking working methods
• The study showed that women with the disease have had fewer children than the controls.

• One group was treated with the new drug, and the control group was given a sugar pill.

PLACE

6. singular a place where orders are given or where checks are made; the people who work in this place
• air traffic control
• We went through passport control and into the departure lounge.

• This is Mission Control calling the space shuttle Discovery.

ON COMPUTER

7. uncountable (also conˈtrol key singular) (on a computer keyboard) a key that you press when you want to perform a particular operation
Word Origin:
late Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘check or verify accounts’, especially by referring to a duplicate register): from Anglo-Norman French contreroller ‘keep a copy of a roll of accounts’, from medieval Latin contrarotulare, from contrarotulus ‘copy of a roll’, from contra- ‘against’ + rotulus ‘a roll’. The noun is perhaps via French contrôle.
Thesaurus:
control noun
1. U
• The city is under enemy control.
power • • rule • • authority • • command • • hold • • grasp • • discipline • |formal jurisdiction •
in control/power/authority/command
be under sb's control/rule/authority/command/jurisdiction
have/give sb control/power/authority/command/a hold/jurisdiction over sb/sth
2. U, C
• government controls on trade and industry
limit • • limitation • • restriction • • constraint • • restraint • • check • • ceiling • • curb •
controls/limits/limitations/restrictions/constraints/restraints/checks/a ceiling/curbs on sth
without controls/limits/limitations/restrictions/constraints/restraints/checks
impose controls/limits/limitations/restrictions/constraints/restraints/checks/a ceiling/curbs
3. C, usually pl.
• the controls of an aircraft
button • • switch • • dial • • wheel • • lever • • knob •
be at/take the controls/wheel
adjust the controls/dial
the controls/wheel operates sth
Synonyms:
limit
restriction • control • constraint • restraint • limitation
These are all words for sth that limits what you can do or what can happen.
limit • the greatest or smallest amount of sth that is allowed: ▪ The EU has set strict limits on pollution levels. ◊ ▪ the speed limit
restriction • (rather formal) a rule or law that limits what you can do: ▪ There are no restrictions on the amount of money you can withdraw.
control • (often in compounds) the act of limiting or managing sth; a method of doing this: ▪ arms control
constraint • (rather formal) a fact or decision that limits what you can do: ▪ We have to work within severe constraints of time and money.
restraint • (rather formal) a decision, a rule, an idea, etc. that limits what you can do; the act of limiting sth because it is necessary or sensible to do so: ▪ The government has imposed export restraints on some products. ◊ ▪ The unions are unlikely to accept any sort of wage restraint.
limitation • the act or process of limiting sth; a rule, fact or condition that limits sth: ▪ They would resist any limitation of their powers.
restriction, constraint, restraint or limitation?
These are all things that limit what you can do. A restriction is rule or law that is made by sb in authority. A constraint is sth that exists rather than sth that is made, although it may exist as a result of sb's decision. A restraint is also sth that exists: it can exist outside yourself, as the result of sb else's decision; but it can also exist inside you, as a fear of what other people may think or as your own feeling about what is acceptable: ▪ moral/social/cultural restraints. A limitation is more general and can be a rule that sb makes or a fact or condition that exists.
limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations on sth
limits/limitations to sth
severe limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
tight limits/restrictions/controls/constraints
to impose/remove limits/restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints/limitations
to lift restrictions/controls/constraints/restraints
Example Bank:
• Chief Air Officer Sedley was at the controls of the Boeing 707.
• Editors do not exercise control over large sections of their newspapers.
• Enemy forces have now regained control of the area.
• Everything is under control
• He defended the tradition of civilian control over the military.
• He lost control of the car when he swerved to avoid a bicycle.
• He wants to hand over control of social security to the private sector.
• He's a real control freak.
• I had this feeling that things were out of control.
• Many teenagers have poor impulse control.
• New crime control measures have failed.
• Once we were in the air, I was allowed to take the controls.
• Parking is outside my control.
• The car went out of control on the icy road.
• The country has tightened its border controls.
• The department was under the control of Bryce Thompson.
• The elected government is back in control.
• The event has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.
• The government has imposed strict controls on new building.
• The idea is to give councils full control of their own budgets.
• The police are experts in crowd control.
• They have introduced controls on public spending.
• They have little control over that side of the business.
• They soon got the situation under control.
• Weeds should be kept under strict control.
• a programmable control unit
• attempts to wrest control of the town from government forces
• calls for tougher export controls
• government plans to centralize control of schools
• plans to relax price controls
• the air traffic control tower
• the water pressure control valve
• A pest control officer was called in to deal with the rat problem.
• He got so angry he lost control.
• Practical measures such as quality control and testing are very important in the manufacturing process.
• The aim is to give people more control over their own lives.
• The city is under enemy control.
• The coach made the team work hard on ball control.
• The family has sold most of its shares and will lose control of the company.
• a reliable method of birth control

Idioms: get something under control ▪ in control ▪ out of control ▪ under control

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

control / kənˈtrəʊl / / -ˈtroʊl / noun (POWER)

B2 [ C or U ] the act of controlling something or someone, or the power to do this:

She's got no control over that child - it's terrible.

He wants the government to impose strict controls on dog ownership.

The dictator took control of the country in 1933.

He felt he was losing control of events.

You need to stay in control of your emotions.

The car skidded and went out of control, crashing into an oncoming truck.

There was nothing we could do about it - the situation was out of/beyond/outside our control.

She criticized the police's methods of crowd control.

under control B2 being dealt with or limited successfully:

It seems that the disease is now under control.

Everything is under control, sir.

It took them two hours to bring/get the fire under control.

Word partners for control noun

assume / have / take control • lose / relinquish control • gain / get / seize control • impose / strengthen / tighten controls on sth • complete / direct / full / total control • firm / strict / tight control • control of / on / over sb/sth • beyond / out of / under sb's control

control / kənˈtrəʊl / / -ˈtroʊl / noun (SWITCH)

B2 [ C ] a switch or other device used to operate a machine such as a vehicle:

The main instruments are in the centre of the control panel .

Captain Firth sat at the controls of the aircraft.

[ C usually singular ] ( also control key , written abbreviation Ctrl ) a key on a computer keyboard that you press at the same time as other keys to make the keyboard operate in a particular way:

Press and hold down the control key while you press 9.

I pressed Control Alt Delete but nothing happened.

Word partners for control noun

assume / have / take control • lose / relinquish control • gain / get / seize control • impose / strengthen / tighten controls on sth • complete / direct / full / total control • firm / strict / tight control • control of / on / over sb/sth • beyond / out of / under sb's control

control / kənˈtrəʊl / / -ˈtroʊl / noun [ C ] specialized (IN AN EXPERIMENT)

in an experiment, an object or system that is not changed so that you can compare it with similar objects or systems that are intentionally changed

Word partners for control noun

assume / have / take control • lose / relinquish control • gain / get / seize control • impose / strengthen / tighten controls on sth • complete / direct / full / total control • firm / strict / tight control • control of / on / over sb/sth • beyond / out of / under sb's control

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

control

[kəntro͟ʊl]
♦
controls, controlling, controlled
1) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/over n Control of an organization, place, or system is the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  The restructuring involves Mr Ronson giving up control of the company...
  The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
  ●
  PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, usu PHR of n If you are in control of something, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way it is run.
  Nobody knows who is in control of the club...
  In the West, people feel more in control of their own lives.
  PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If something is under your control, you have the power to make all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  All the newspapers were taken under government control.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/over n If you have control of something or someone, you are able to make them do what you want them to do.
  He lost control of his car...
  Some teachers have more control over pupils than their parents have.
3) N-UNCOUNT If you show control, you prevent yourself behaving in an angry or emotional way.
  He had a terrible temper, and sometimes he would completely lose control...
  He was working hard to keep control of himself.
4) VERB The people who control an organization or place have the power to take all the important decisions about the way that it is run.
  [V n] He now controls the largest retail development empire in southern California...
  [V n] Almost all of the countries in Latin America were controlled by dictators...
  [V-ing] Minebea ended up selling its controlling interest in both firms.
  Derived words:
  -controlled COMB in ADJ AGA Gas is Swedish-controlled. ...the state-controlled media.
5) VERB To control a piece of equipment, process, or system means to make it work in the way that you want it to work.
  [V n] ...a computerised system to control the gates...
  [V n] Scientists would soon be able to manipulate human genes to control the ageing process.
  [V-ed] ...the controlled production of energy from sugar by a cell.
  Derived words:
  -controlled COMB in ADJ ...computer-controlled traffic lights.
6) VERB When a government controls prices, wages, or the activity of a particular group, it uses its power to restrict them.
  [V n] The federal government tried to control rising health-care costs.
  [V n] ...measures to control illegal mining.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp
Control is also a noun. Control of inflation remains the government's absolute priority.
7) VERB If you control yourself, or if you control your feelings, voice, or expression, you make yourself behave calmly even though you are feeling angry, excited, or upset.
  [V pron-refl] Jo was advised to learn to control herself...
  [V n] I just couldn't control my temper.
  Syn:
  restrain
  Derived words:
  controlled ADJ-GRADED Her manner was quiet and very controlled.
8) VERB To control something dangerous means to prevent it from becoming worse or from spreading.
  [V n] ...the need to control environmental pollution...
  [V n] One of the biggest tasks will be to control the spread of malaria.
9) N-COUNT A control is a device such as a switch or lever which you use in order to operate a machine or other piece of equipment.
  I practised operating the controls.
  ...the control box.
  ●
  PHRASE If someone is at the controls of a machine or other piece of equipment, they are operating it.
  He died of a heart attack while at the controls of the plane.
10) N-VAR Controls are the methods that a government uses to restrict increases, for example in prices, wages, or weapons.
  Critics question whether price controls would do any good...
  Their talks are expected to focus on arms control...
  They have very strict gun control in Sweden.
11) N-VAR: n N The word control is used to refer to a place where your documents or luggage are officially checked when you enter a foreign country.
  He went straight through Passport Control without incident.
  ...an agreement to abolish border controls.
12) → See also air traffic control, birth control, quality control, remote control, stock control
13) PHRASE: usu v PHR, v-link PHR If something is out of control, no-one has any power over it.
  The fire is burning out of control...
  I'm dealing with customers all the time who have let their debts get out of control.
14) PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR after v If something harmful is under control, it is being dealt with successfully and is unlikely to cause any more harm.
  The situation is under control...
  If the current violence is to be brought under control, the government needs to act.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

control

²control noun, pl -trols
1 [noncount] : the power to make decisions about how something is managed or done
• The city wanted local control of education.
• The troops had no control [=choice] over where they would be stationed.
• The tribes fought for control over the territory.
• He took control of the family farm.
• She hired an accountant to take control of her money.
• Two-thirds of the market is in the control of three companies. [=is controlled by three companies]
• He always wants to be in control. [=he wants to be the one who makes decisions]
• The team is under the control of a new coach. [=a new coach is in charge of the team; the team has a new coach]
• The weather is not in/under our control. = The weather is beyond our control. [=we cannot control the weather]
2 [noncount] : the ability to direct the actions of someone or something
• He lost all muscle control in his left arm.
• She no longer has control of her (mental) faculties. [=she is no longer able to think clearly or make rational decisions]
• The soccer player showed good control of the ball.
• a teacher with good control of her students
• The driver lost control (of the car) and hit a tree.
✦If you lose control or lose control of yourself, you become very angry, upset, or excited.
• He lost control of himself and yelled at his students.
✦If people or things are out of control, they cannot be handled or managed with success.
• The car went out of control and crashed.
• The child was out of control. She ran around the store screaming.
• The campfire got out of control and started a forest fire.
• The situation got out of control, and a fight started.
3 : an action, method, or law that limits the amount or growth of something

[count]

• The farmer used an organic pest control on his crops.
• To cut down on competition, the government passed price controls on prescription drugs.
• The President wants stricter controls on immigration.

[noncount]

• The two nations talked about arms control. [=control of the amount of weapons a country has]
• population control
- see also biological control, birth control, gun control, quality control, rent control damage control at ¹damage
4 [count] : a device or piece of equipment used to operate a machine, vehicle, or system
• the volume control on a television
• the controls of the aircraft
• a car with manual controls
• a control panel
✦If you are at the controls, you are controlling a vehicle.
• The copilot was at the controls when the plane landed.
- see also remote control
5 [singular] : the group of people who direct or control something (such as the flight of an aircraft)
• pilots communicating with air traffic control
• a control tower/room
- see also mission control
6 [count] : a person, thing, or group that is not treated with something that is being tested in an experiment in order to allow comparison with a treated person, thing, or group
• The effects of the drug were clear when the test group was compared with the control group.
in control
1 : having control of something
• She will still be in control of the sales department.
• He managed to stay in control of his emotions.
2 : not overly upset or excited : calm and able to think and act in a sensible way
• In spite of the pressure to pass the test, he felt calm and in control.
under control : able to be handled or managed with success : not out of control
• She remained calm and kept the situation under control.
• A year after the divorce, he finally got his life back under control. [=he finally regained control of his life]
• The firefighters got the fire under control.
• You need to get your drinking/gambling/anger under control.
• Don't worry—I have everything under control.