1
: slow and relaxed
We walked the beach at a sedate pace.
2
: quiet and peaceful : calm
a sedate neighborhood/town
the sedate countryside
He remained sedate under pressure.
a sedate horse
sedates; sedated; sedating
: to give (a person or animal) drugs that cause relaxation or sleep
The doctor sedated the patient heavily.
—often used as (be) sedatedThe patient had to be sedated.
The animal was heavily sedated during the procedure.
Cite this Entry
“Sedate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sedate. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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