moderate

mod|er|ate1 [ `mad(ə)rət ] adjective **

1. ) neither very great nor very small in amount, size, strength, or degree:

Cook the spinach over a moderate heat.

A moderate earthquake shook the San Francisco bay area this afternoon.

We need more housing for moderate-income families.

This is a new drug for treating mild to moderate depression.

moderate increase/loss/growth: This month has seen a moderate increase in house prices.

2. ) reasonable and avoiding extreme opinions or actions:

She was in the moderate wing of the party.

The tone of his speech was quite moderate.

a ) doing, eating, or drinking only sensible amounts of something:

a moderate drinker (=of alcohol)

moderate

mod|er|ate 2 [ `madə,r(e)ıt ] verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to make something less extreme, or to become less extreme:

When Melanie came in, they moderated their language.

The pace of economic expansion has moderated.

2. ) transitive to be in charge of a discussion between people with different opinions, especially in order to make it fair to everyone involved:

Michael Kinsley moderated a debate on trade with China.

moderate

mod|er|ate 3 [ `madərət ] noun count

someone whose opinions and actions are reasonable and not extreme, especially in politics:

The party is deeply divided between moderates and extremists.