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
• restrained

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

They had a temperate discussion.

He is a temperate man.

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025

Best Time to Visit Locals know the fall and winter tend to be the best times to visit St. George Island for temperate weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025

Giant squids also inhabit the deep sea but are found in tropical and temperate waters. —Ayana Archie, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025

Sunfish reside in open waters across the globe in tropical and temperate oceans and feed on mainly jellies and other gelatinous zooplankton like salps, squid, fish, crustaceans and algae. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025

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