noun
control
A standard used for comparison in an experiment.
The researchers use untreated soil as a control in the experiment.
Etymology
The older term names a duplicate record used to check another record. The experimental sense retains comparison: a control supplies the reference against which a result is evaluated.
More examples
- One sample receives no heat and serves as the control.
- Each trial includes two controls to help detect contamination.
- We compare the treated cells with the control.
Forms
control · controls
control group noun — An experimental group used as a comparison standard.
Similar words
- baseline
- A starting measurement, rather than necessarily a separate comparison sample.
- standard
- A broader comparison reference, not limited to experimental use.