moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce moderator (audio)
plural moderators
1
: someone who presides over an assembly, meeting, or discussion: such as
a
: the chairman of a discussion group
b
: a person who administers an online forum, chat room, or group
c
: the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting
d
: the presiding officer of a Presbyterian governing body
2
: one who arbitrates : mediator
3
: a substance (such as graphite) used for slowing neutrons in a nuclear reactor
moderatorship noun

Examples of moderator in a Sentence

The moderator allowed audience members to ask the governor questions. She acts as the moderator in our office meetings.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of the more than 60 current and former Reddit workers and moderators contacted for that story described the tools developed to police bad behavior on the video and audio services as inadequate. Paresh Dave, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2024 The moderator can then ask attendees what aspects of flexibility are most important to them, such as taking time off or hybrid work arrangements. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Thousands of volunteer moderators oversee the subreddits. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The [studio’s] focus group moderator was trying so hard. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Later, when the moderator suggested that Deborah’s on-again-off-again employment of millennial comedy writer Ava (Einbinder) feels like a romance, both actors made faces and slowly reached for each other’s hands, joking that Season 3 could indeed become a love story. Selome Hailu, Variety, 9 Mar. 2024 The Alphabet Workers Union-CWA, which represents the contractors, said the team consisted of moderators employed by Google contractor Cognizant in Austin, Texas, that was responsible for approving music content for YouTube Music. Emilia David, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2024 Introduce yourself and ask if you can be involved as a keynote speaker, panelist, or even as a moderator. Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 One of Whoopi Goldberg's former flames is currently at least 108 years old, according to The View moderator's math. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moderator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of moderator was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near moderator

Cite this Entry

“Moderator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderator. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moderator

noun
mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce moderator (audio)
1
: one that moderates: as
a
: the leader of a Presbyterian governing body
b
: the chairperson of a town meeting
c
: the chairperson of a discussion group (as on television)
2
: a substance (as graphite) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor

Medical Definition

moderator

noun
mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər How to pronounce moderator (audio)
: a substance (as graphite, deuterium in heavy water, or beryllium) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor

More from Merriam-Webster on moderator

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