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temperate

adjective
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tem·​per·​ate | \ ˈtem-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce temperate (audio) \

Definition of temperate

1a : having a moderate climate which especially lacks extremes in temperature
b : found in or associated with a moderate climate temperate insects
2 : marked by moderation: such as
a : keeping or held within limits : not extreme or excessive : mild
b : moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire
c : moderate in the use of alcoholic beverages
d : marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship
3 : existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing lysis temperate bacteriophages
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Other Words from temperate

temperately adverb
temperateness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for temperate

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Examples of temperate in a Sentence

They had a temperate discussion. He is a temperate man.
Recent Examples on the Web His songs seem designed to reconcile years of stylistic arm-wrestling on Music Row, tempering the zesty testosterone of, say, Florida Georgia Line with the temperate introspection of, say, Chris Stapleton. — Washington Post, "Morgan Wallen’s big moment feels about 19 songs too long," 14 Jan. 2021 Assuming that temperatures that are either too hot or too cold are generally not desirable, this variable needs to be presented so that the bottom of the scale is extreme weather and the top of the scale is temperate weather. — Abba Krieger, Quartz, "How to think critically about polls and rankings," 8 Dec. 2020 But in 2020, a year from hell, the famously temperate British summer became too warm for the finicky process of baking. — Kate Yoder, Wired, "Another Victim of Global Warming: The Great British Bake Off," 5 Dec. 2020 There’s the temperate Southern California climate with little May rain. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, "La Costa gets NCAA golf championship starting in 2024," 17 Nov. 2020 The virus’s vigorous return is happening even as the weather across much of the Northern Hemisphere remains temperate. — Tribune News Service, al, "COVID’s comeback is bigger but less deadly, at least for now," 11 Oct. 2020 Wiebe is thinking about subletting her apartment and heading south to bunk with friends or live out of her car in a more temperate part of the country for a while. — Kevyn Burger Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Free to live anywhere, COVID-era migrants are relocating to the Twin Cities," 13 Nov. 2020 The virus’s vigorous return is happening even as the weather across much of the Northern Hemisphere remains temperate. — Tribune News Service, al, "COVID’s comeback is bigger but less deadly, at least for now," 11 Oct. 2020 The virus’s vigorous return is happening even as the weather across much of the Northern Hemisphere remains temperate. — Tribune News Service, al, "COVID’s comeback is bigger but less deadly, at least for now," 11 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'temperate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of temperate

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for temperate

Middle English temperat, temperate "restrained, moderate in nature or habits, having the bodily humors in balanced proportion, moderate in temperature or climate," borrowed from Latin temperātus "(of persons) restrained, (of temperature or climate) moderate, between extremes," from past participle of temperāre "to exercise moderation, moderate" — more at temper entry 2

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Time Traveler for temperate

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The first known use of temperate was in the 14th century

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Statistics for temperate

Last Updated

19 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Temperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperate. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for temperate

temperate

adjective
How to pronounce temperate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of temperate

: having temperatures that are not too hot or too cold
formal : emotionally calm and controlled
old-fashioned : avoiding behavior that goes beyond what is normal, healthy, or acceptable

See the full definition for temperate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

temperate

adjective
tem·​per·​ate | \ ˈtem-pə-rət How to pronounce temperate (audio) , -prət \

Kids Definition of temperate

1 : keeping or held within limits : not extreme or excessive temperate pride
2 : not drinking much liquor
3 : showing self-control Though angry, he used temperate language.
4 : having a mild climate that is not too hot or too cold

temperate

adjective
tem·​per·​ate | \ ˈtem-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce temperate (audio) \

Medical Definition of temperate

1 : marked by moderation especially : moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors
2 : existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing lysis temperate bacteriophages

Other Words from temperate

temperately adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on temperate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for temperate

Nglish: Translation of temperate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of temperate for Arabic Speakers

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