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 chairman 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

• chair
• chairman
• chairperson
• president
• presider
• prolocutor
• speaker

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

Gosling and Day looked so insane in their costumes that Heidi Gardner — who was playing the moderator — started cracking up, causing others to break as well. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2024

Joy Behar, who fills in for Goldberg as moderator every Friday, began Thursday's live show with a note about the Oscar-winning Ghost star's health. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 11 July 2024

The president’s debate performance was at times rambling and incomprehensible as Biden froze several times and trailed off in response to many of the moderators’ questions. —Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 July 2024

Led by moderator Tariro Makoni, panelists Sabrina Elba, Delanique Millwood and Abena Boamah-Acheampong discussed everything from African botanical ingredients to sustainable sourcing. —Akili King, Essence, 5 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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