temperate

adjective

tem·per·ate | \ ˈtem-p(ə-)rət

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

Other Words from temperate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about temperate

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Synonyms & Antonyms for temperate

Synonyms

moderate

Antonyms

immoderate, intemperate

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

They had a temperate discussion. He is a temperate man.

Recent Examples on the Web

But no choir in the world could make Mr. Smith any warmer than temperate, any cooler than lukewarm. — Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica, Joe Coscarelli And Caryn Ganz, New York Times, "The Best and Worst of the Grammys," 29 Jan. 2018 Herbs are the leaves, stems, and flowers of those plants found in temperate climates, and are generally soft (like basil) or slightly woody (like rosemary). — Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, "How Herbs and Spices Can Make You Cook Like a Pro," 13 Nov. 2018 And some cashmere wouldn’t go astray, either, especially with the random temperate drops on planes. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, "19 Vogue Editors Share Their Ideal Holiday Travel Outfit," 15 Nov. 2018 Every acre of restored temperate forest can sequester 3 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere, explained," 24 Oct. 2018 Barley is a fairly temperate crop, predominantly grown in cooler regions like the Northern Great Plains, North Central Europe, Australia, and the Asian steppe. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Barley shortages from climate change could mean less beer worldwide," 15 Oct. 2018 Understandably, Hirsch says the murder of such a temperate, approachable man made the rest of the Delawares fearful for their own lives. — Ryan P. Smith, Smithsonian, "Why the Very First Treaty Between the United States and a Native People Still Resonates Today," 25 May 2018 Farmers chose flatland with fertile soil in temperate climates. — Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, "When Farmers and Foragers First Met," 24 Oct. 2018 While definitely more prevalent in California due to the state’s temperate climate, examples of this style can be found across the country, from the suburbs of Chicago to New Canaan, Connecticut. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018

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.