moderator

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

moderatorship

2 of 2

noun (2)

mod·​er·​a·​tor·​ship ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər-ˌship 

: the position or duties of a moderator

Synonyms of moderator

Noun (1)

• chairperson
• president
• chairman
• presider

Examples of moderator in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The moderator allowed audience members to ask the governor questions.

She acts as the moderator in our office meetings.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This isn’t the first clash that Reddit has had with its moderators in recent years. — Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

New alliance Republican nominee for governor Rick Jackson (right) speaks with moderator Brian Robinson during the Georgia Chamber’s annual congressional luncheon in Athens on Wednesday. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Erroneous erasures In April, a Slack channel for moderators of the r/AskHistorians Reddit community was usually busy. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026

If there is a crime or incident that occurs that is not an imminent threat to life or property, officers must ask permission from the moderator to investigate that incident, local police chiefs said. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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