temperate

adjective tem·per·ate \ ˈtem-p(ə-)rət \

Definition of temperate

1 a :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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temperately

adverb

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temperateness

noun

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See temperate defined for kids

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of temperate from the Web

My greatest regret of the NFL preseason is not the New Orleans Saints' decision to hold training camp in swampy, sweaty Metairie rather than mild, temperate West Virginia.

— jeff duncan, NOLA.com, "Saints make tough call to fire docs, but Delvin Breaux deserved better," 17 Aug. 2017
Everything about San Diego fits our criteria, from the amazing soccer venue, the temperate climate, to the impressive soccer support in the region.

— mark zeigler, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Youth soccer's top event coming to San Diego," 28 July 2017
For example, the caterpillar of the armyworm moth destroys crops in places like Brazil and Zimbabwe, but can’t survive in places with temperate climates like Romania.

— giorgia guglielmi, Science | AAAS, "Why so much of the world is stuck in a ‘poverty trap’," 25 July 2017
The costs of global climate change will again be unevenly (and uncertainly) distributed, but harm will often be smaller for richer, temperate countries.

— The Economist, "Free exchangeClimate change and inequality," 13 July 2017
Temperate plants should be allowed to go into dormancy during the winter by reducing water, temperature and light levels. Outdoors in containers:

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "These stunning plants all have one thing in common: A taste for blood," 3 July 2017
Locals say swimming in Mykonos in May would be too cold, while Porto Heli is rather temperate.

— hannah seligson, Town & Country, "Porto Heli Might Be Greece's Best Kept Secret," 30 June 2017
Still, humans continue to relocate to warm places like the Southwest, drawn by the temperate climate.

— justin worland, Time, "Extreme Heat Waves Will Change How We Live. We’re Not Ready," 23 June 2017
While one blandly chilly day bled into the next, the relentless blizzard of scandals emerging from the inchoate presidential administration intensified the season's slate-gray gloom, giving otherwise temperate afternoons a forbidding atmosphere.

— jake malooley, Chicago Reader, "‘That first warm day’ should be an official Chicago holiday," 22 June 2017

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.