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
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
Cooper served as the moderator for the event, while Hadid attended in support.
—
Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
The View also continued without a live studio audience on Monday and Tuesday, with moderator Whoopi Goldberg even getting snowed in at her home, forcing her to join the telecast virtually at the top of the week.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
At a press conference that month, a moderator asked Vladimir Putin which authorities family members should turn to for concrete information.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
The moderator quickly moved on to another question, so Morrison kept the rest of her views to herself.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderator
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Christina Perrier, InStyle, 26 Feb. 2026
The View also continued without a live studio audience on Monday and Tuesday, with moderator Whoopi Goldberg even getting snowed in at her home, forcing her to join the telecast virtually at the top of the week.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Feb. 2026
At a press conference that month, a moderator asked Vladimir Putin which authorities family members should turn to for concrete information.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
The moderator quickly moved on to another question, so Morrison kept the rest of her views to herself.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderator
Cite this Entry
“Moderator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderator. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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