moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər 

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

ˈmä-də-ˌrā-tər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• chair
• chairman
• chairperson
• president
• presider
• prolocutor
• speaker

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

The commission controlled the choices of venues and moderators, with different networks handling the technical aspects of the broadcasts. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

The rules were included at the request of Biden campaign to combat Trump’s penchant for continually interrupting his debate opponents and moderators in past debates with Biden four years ago and Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2016. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 June 2024

Last week, the former host of The Daily Show for more than a decade and current part-time moderator stopped by The Town With Matthew Belloni, a podcast by The Ringer. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 17 June 2024

An audience with the Pope is a privilege that was also extended to this broadcast's long-time moderator, Tim Russert. —Nbc Universal, NBC News, 16 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

moderator

noun

mod·​er·​a·​tor ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

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 

: a substance (as graphite, deuterium in heavy water, or beryllium) used for slowing down neutrons in a nuclear reactor