'Modulation' definitions:

Definition of 'modulation'

From: WordNet
noun
A musical passage moving from one key to another [syn: transition, modulation]
noun
(electronics) the transmission of a signal by using it to vary a carrier wave; changing the carrier's amplitude or frequency or phase
noun
Rise and fall of the voice pitch [syn: intonation, modulation, pitch contour]
noun
A manner of speaking in which the loudness or pitch or tone of the voice is modified [syn: modulation, inflection]
noun
The act of modifying or adjusting according to due measure and proportion (as with regard to artistic effect)

Definition of 'Modulation'

From: GCIDE
  • Modulation \Mod`u*la"tion\, n. [L. modulatio: cf. F. modulation.]
  • 1. The act of modulating, or the state of being modulated; as, the modulation of the voice. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Sound modulated; melody. [R.] --Thomson. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Mus.) A change of key, whether transient, or until the music becomes established in the new key; a shifting of the tonality of a piece, so that the harmonies all center upon a new keynote or tonic; the art of transition out of the original key into one nearly related, and so on, it may be, by successive changes, into a key quite remote. There are also sudden and unprepared modulations. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. (Electronics) The alteration of hte amplitude, intensity, frequency, or phase (of the carrier wave of a radio signal) at intervals, so as to represent information to be transmitted. [WordNet 1.5]

Synonyms of 'modulation'

From: Moby Thesaurus