moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce moderator (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For panel moderator China Widener, the company’s vice chair for technology, media and telecom, the opportunity to be in the same room with industry leaders is crucial. Matt Minton, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025 In 2016, Pope Francis called Farrell to the Vatican to serve as the vicar general of administration and moderator of the Roman Curia, the administrative arm of the Holy See and the central governing body of the Catholic Church, according to his biography. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025 These changes would have severely curtailed the ability of the moderator and the audience to question the foreign minister. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 Last March, Emmy winner and former The View moderator Rosie O’Donnell took to Instagram to confirm she'd been cast in And Just Like That season 3 as a character named Mary. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moderator

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of moderator was circa 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moderator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderator. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

moderator

noun
mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce moderator (audio)
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 How to pronounce moderator (audio)
: a substance (as graphite, deuterium in heavy water, or beryllium) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor

More from Merriam-Webster on moderator

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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