moderate

1 of 3

adjective

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-d(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
a
: avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits
a moderate drinker
b
: calm, temperate
Though very much in favor of the measure, he expressed himself in moderate language.
2
a
: tending toward the mean or average amount or dimension
a family of moderate income
b
: having average or less than average quality : mediocre
wrote moderate poetry to the end of his lifeCarl Van Doren
3
: not violent, severe, or intense
a moderate climate
moderate winters
cook over moderate heat
4
: professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are not extreme
had left-wing, moderate, and right-wing candidates vying for the nomination
5
: limited in scope or effect
His new wealth had only a moderate effect on his way of life.
6
: not expensive : reasonable or low in price
a moderate price for a new house
7
of a color : of medium lightness and medium chroma
a moderate red
moderateness noun

moderate

2 of 3

verb

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-də-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating

transitive verb

1
: to lessen the intensity or extremeness of
the sun moderated the chill
2
: to preside over or act as chairman of
moderated the board of directors meeting
moderated the debate

intransitive verb

1
: to act as a moderator
He moderated on a weekly panel show.
2
: to become less violent, severe, or intense
the wind began to moderate
moderation noun

moderate

3 of 3

noun

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-d(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
: one who holds moderate views or who belongs to a group favoring a moderate course or program

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

Adjective Her doctor recommended moderate exercise. There were moderate levels of chemicals in the lake. drinking moderate amounts of coffee Most of these medicines relieve mild to moderate pain. a family of moderate income a book of moderate length The group met with only moderate success. a writer of moderate talent The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices. Both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans can agree on this new law. Verb The protesters have been unwilling to moderate their demands. She moderates at our office meetings. She moderates our discussions so that we don't argue or talk at the same time. Noun Moderates from both political parties have agreed on an economic plan. to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
However, as freezing temperatures clear out Wednesday morning, and more moderate weather takes hold through Thursday, the wind will also die down. Hogan Gore, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 Covid transmission rates are low or minimal in most states with the exception of New Mexico (very high); Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota (high); and Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Idaho and Nevada (moderate). Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
During a discussion moderated by Rajeev Masand, COO of Dharma Cornerstone Agency, panelists addressed the complex ecosystem required to sustain independent filmmaking in India. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024 Shahidi had also moderated a conversation with Palmer for a recent book event at Harvard University. Ada Tseng, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
The moderates and ultraconservatives Vulnerable House Republicans who won in tight races this year, including Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Michael Lawler of New York, and David Valadao of California, were critical to the party retaining control of the House. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024 Lawler and Jones both looked to portray themselves as moderates while slamming their opponent as extreme. Jared Gans, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moderate 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Middle English, from Latin moderatus, from past participle of moderare to moderate; akin to Latin modus measure

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moderate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near moderate

Cite this Entry

“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderate. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

moderate

1 of 3 adjective
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
a
: avoiding or lacking extremes (as in behavior or temperature)
a moderate eater
moderate climates
b
: calm entry 3 sense 2, reasonable
moderate demands
2
a
: neither very much nor very little : average in size or amount
a moderate rain
b
: neither very good nor very bad
met with only moderate success
3
: opposed to major social change or extreme political ideas
a moderate candidate
4
: not expensive : reasonable or low in price
moderate rates
moderately adverb
moderateness noun

moderate

2 of 3 verb
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating
1
: to make or become less violent, severe, or intense
2
: to guide a discussion or act as chairperson of a meeting

moderate

3 of 3 noun
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
: one who holds moderate views or belongs to a moderate group (as in politics)

Medical Definition

moderate

1 of 2 adjective
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
: avoiding extremes of behavior : observing reasonable limits
a moderate drinker
2
: not severe in effect or degree
moderate alcohol consumption
the abdomen was mildly distended with moderate tendernessTimothy Melester et al.
moderate developmental disabilities

moderate

2 of 2 transitive verb
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating
: to reduce the speed or energy of (neutrons)
moderation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moderate

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