moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər 

plural moderators

1

: someone who presides over an assembly, meeting, or discussion: such as

a

: the chairperson of a discussion group

b

: a person who administers an online forum, chat room, or group

c

: the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting

d

: the presiding officer of a Presbyterian governing body

2

: one who arbitrates : mediator

3

: a substance (such as graphite) used for slowing neutrons in a nuclear reactor

moderatorship

ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of moderator

• chairperson
• president
• chairman
• presider

Examples of moderator in a Sentence

The moderator allowed audience members to ask the governor questions.

She acts as the moderator in our office meetings.

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet debate moderators spend comparatively little time on public health preparedness. —Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

Felicia Townsend, dean of the school, will serve as the moderator. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

So said Danessa Myricks, founder of her eponymous color cosmetics brand, in conversation with Christine Chang and Sarah Lee of Glow Recipe, Mazdack Rassi of Milk Makeup and moderator Kathryn Hopkins, senior beauty editor at WWD. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

The event, hosted by the college and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, will feature one-on-one conversations between candidates and moderator Alex Cohen, the national political anchor for Spectrum News 1, rather than a traditional debate format, organizers said. —City News Service, Daily News, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for moderator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

1

: one that moderates: as

a

: the leader of a Presbyterian governing body

b

: the chairperson of a town meeting

c

: the chairperson of a discussion group (as on television)

2

: a substance (as graphite) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor

Medical Definition

moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

: a substance (as graphite, deuterium in heavy water, or beryllium) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor