modulation
noun
mod·u·la·tion
ˌmä-jə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: an inflection of the tone or pitch of the voice
specifically
: the use of stress or pitch to convey meaning
2
: a regulating according to measure or proportion : tempering
3
: a change from one musical key to another by modulating
4
: the process of modulating a carrier or signal (as in radio)
also
: the result of this process
Examples of modulation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the spacecraft was still receiving and executing commands from Earth, the FDS was not communicating properly with a subsystem called the telemetry modulation unit (TMU).
—
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
The latest issue experienced by Voyager 1 first cropped up in November 2023, when the flight data system’s telemetry modulation unit began sending an indecipherable repeating pattern of code.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
Instead, the probe's telemetry modulation unit began sending a nonsensical repeating patterns of code.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
The steering is accurate, but doesn’t provide much feedback, and the inert brake pedal makes precise modulation of brake efforts difficult.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
This modulation can help alleviate discomfort by influencing pain perception and promoting a sense of well-being.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024
The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024
Anandamide plays a number of roles throughout the body, including sensory and pain modulation, and increased levels are expected to desensitize overactive sensory neurons in the upper airways of chronic cough patients, limiting the urge to cough.
—Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Although the probe can receive and carry out engineers’ commands, the FDS is currently unable to use its telemetry modulation unit (TMU) subsystem.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Dec. 2023
Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
The latest issue experienced by Voyager 1 first cropped up in November 2023, when the flight data system’s telemetry modulation unit began sending an indecipherable repeating pattern of code.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
Instead, the probe's telemetry modulation unit began sending a nonsensical repeating patterns of code.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
The steering is accurate, but doesn’t provide much feedback, and the inert brake pedal makes precise modulation of brake efforts difficult.
—Angus MacKenzie, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
This modulation can help alleviate discomfort by influencing pain perception and promoting a sense of well-being.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024
The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting.
—Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024
Anandamide plays a number of roles throughout the body, including sensory and pain modulation, and increased levels are expected to desensitize overactive sensory neurons in the upper airways of chronic cough patients, limiting the urge to cough.
—Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2024
Although the probe can receive and carry out engineers’ commands, the FDS is currently unable to use its telemetry modulation unit (TMU) subsystem.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modulation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near modulation
Cite this Entry
“Modulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modulation. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
modulation
noun
mod·u·la·tion
ˌmäj-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: an action of modulating
2
: the extent or degree by which something is modulated
3
: a change from one musical key to another by using a chord that is found in both keys
4
: the process of modulating a carrier wave or signal (as in radio)
also
: the result of this process
Medical Definition
modulation
noun
mod·u·la·tion
ˌmäj-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the act or process of modulating
2
: a reversible change in histological structure due to physiological factors
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