Control

/kənˈtroʊl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events.

He has control over the team's decisions.

The ability to manage or regulate something.

The car was out of control when it skidded on the ice.

A means of limiting or regulating something.

The government put controls on the sale of certain chemicals.

verb

To exercise influence over; to direct.

She can control the volume of the music with her phone.

To determine the behavior or the course of something.

We need to control our spending if we want to save money.

To restrain or manage a situation or personal behavior.

He struggled to control his anger during the argument.

From Latin 'contrarotulus' (counter roll or record).

give up control

To relinquish authority or power.

in control

Having power or authority over something.

control freak

A person who feels an obsessive need to control others or situations.

controller

A device or person that directs or regulates.

controlling

Exercising control over or managing.

overcontrol

To exercise excessive control.

Take the reins

After the shake-up, he decided to take the reins of the project.

Call the shots

Since he was the boss, he got to call the shots.