temperate

1 of 2

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

temperateness

2 of 2

noun

tem·​per·​ate·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being temperate : moderation: such as

a

obsolete : temperance sense 1b

b

: self-restraint

an effective temperateness in debate

c

: mildness of climate

the temperateness of the weather

Synonyms of temperate

Adjective

• moderate

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

Adjective

They had a temperate discussion.

He is a temperate man.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The evolutionary solution, for most temperate insects, is to use the light signal as the primary trigger and treat temperature as a secondary modifier. —John Drake, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Kelp fringes nearly a third of the planet’s coastlines and is an iconic feature of temperate waters, from California and Chile to Norway, Japan, and Australia. —Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026

Its location has also allowed researchers to conduct extensive studies on winter colony losses, research that would be difficult to replicate at the remaining USDA bee labs, which are primarily located in more temperate climates. —Jennie L. Durant, The Conversation, 26 May 2026

With temperate weather that allows for swimming, snorkeling, and forest spelunking, these getaways are also prime locations for napping to the gentle sound of waves by the beach. —Skyli Alvarez, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

Middle English temperatnes, from temperat + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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