temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət 

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

temperately adverb

temperateness noun

Synonyms

• moderate

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

They had a temperate discussion.

He is a temperate man.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the historically temperate Pacific Northwest, where the vast majority of homes are not equipped with central air conditioning, summer heat waves have been intensifying and elongating. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 July 2024

The team found that tropical butterflies and moths had lower charges than those in temperate climates, which could be because tropical insects have more predators, and predators could be able to detect their charge. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024

Watson and Thompson call for a more politically temperate discussion of immigration and conclude with recommendations for a more humane and economically efficient interior enforcement regime. —Barry Eichengreen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022

Best Time To Visit Hawai‘i’s Big Island is popular year-round thanks to beautiful beaches and a temperate climate. —Kait Hanson, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing temperate

• temperate rainforest
• temperate zone

Kids Definition

temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət 

1

: being or kept within limits

2

: not going too far in satisfying one's needs or desires

3

: not drinking much liquor

4

: marked by self-control : restrained

temperate speech

5

: having or associated with a climate that is usually mild without extremely cold or extremely hot temperatures

temperately adverb

temperateness noun

Medical Definition

temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət 

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

temperately adverb