Moderate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)
Britannica Dictionary definition of MODERATE
1
a
:
average in size or amount
:
neither too much nor too little
- 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
- a moderate distance
b
:
neither very good nor very bad
- The group met with only moderate success.
- a writer of moderate talent
2
[more moderate; most moderate]
:
not expensive
:
not too high in price
- The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices.
3
[more moderate; most moderate]
:
having or expressing political beliefs that are neither very liberal nor very conservative
- Both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans can agree on this new law.
- She holds a moderate position on the subject of taxes.
- The group is in need of more moderate voices. [=the group needs more members who do not express extreme ideas]
4
[more moderate; most moderate]
a
:
avoiding behavior that goes beyond what is normal, healthy, or acceptable
- a moderate eater [=a person who does not eat too much]
- a moderate diet
- He believes that moderate drinking is healthy.
- a person of moderate habits
b
:
not showing strong emotions or excitement
- She expressed herself in moderate [=calm, _reasonable_] language.
Britannica Dictionary definition of MODERATE
[count]
:
a person whose political ideas are not extreme
:
a person who has moderate opinions or is a member of a moderate political group
- Moderates from both political parties have agreed on an economic plan.
Britannica Dictionary definition of MODERATE
1
:
to make (something) less harsh, strong, or severe or to become less harsh, strong, or severe
[+ object]
- The protesters have been unwilling to moderate their demands.
[no object]
- The wind moderated [=_lessened_] after the storm.
2
:
to guide a discussion or direct a meeting that involves a group of people
[no object]
- She moderates at our office meetings.
[+ object]
- She moderates our discussions so that we don't argue or talk at the same time.
- moderate a debate