[+ obj] 1 : to direct the behavior of (a person or animal) : to cause (a person or animal) to do what you want
▪ The parents could not control their child. ▪ The police controlled the crowd. ▪ The small boy could not control the big dog. 2 : to have power over (something)
▪ Her family controls the business. ▪ One country controls the whole island. ▪ The rebel army now controls nearly half the country. 3 a : to direct the actions or function of (something) : to cause (something) to act or function in a certain way
▪ The lights on stage are controlled by this computer. ▪ She struggled to control the cart as it rolled before her down the steep, bumpy road.
b : to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something)
▪ He controlled the volume by turning the radio's knob. ▪ A thermostat controls the room's temperature. ▪ The dam controls the flow of the river. 4 : to limit the amount or growth of (something)
▪ The farmer used insecticides to control the pests. ▪ The state allowed hunting in the area to control the deer population. ▪ The government made new laws to control pollution. ▪ The firefighters worked all night to control the fire. 5 a : to keep (emotions, desires, etc.) from becoming too strong or from being shown
▪ Please control your temper. [=keep yourself calm] ▪ He tried hard to control his laughter. [=to avoid laughing] ▪ I was hungry, but I controlled my appetite [=I resisted the desire to eat] and waited for dinner.
b : to keep or make (yourself) calm especially when you are angry, upset, or excited
▪ He couldn't control himself any longer.