temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce temperate (audio)
1
a
: having a moderate climate which especially lacks extremes in temperature
b
: found in or associated with a moderate climate
temperate insects
2
: marked by moderation: such as
a
: keeping or held within limits : not extreme or excessive : mild
b
: moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire
c
: moderate in the use of alcoholic beverages
d
: marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship
3
: existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing lysis
temperate bacteriophages
temperately adverb
temperateness noun

Examples of temperate in a Sentence

They had a temperate discussion. He is a temperate man.
Recent Examples on the Web Parts of the Midwest have been deemed climate havens by city leaders and climate scientists for their protection from sea-level rise and more temperate weather near the Great Lakes. Sam Allard, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 What to Do in Chilean Patagonia The Chilean part of Patagonia, which stretches more than 1,000 miles north to south, is home to volcanos, glacial fjords, a temperate rain forest, and the highest density of pumas in the world. Jordan Harvey, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2024 If politics is a game best played in temperate weather, Kamala Harris’s arrival in Ripon, Wisconsin, on October 3 caught the luck of an unseasonably warm sun. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024 America’s northern neighbor has it all, from temperate coastal rainforest to 14,000-foot peaks to gorgeous national parks. Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for temperate 

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English temperat, temperate "restrained, moderate in nature or habits, having the bodily humors in balanced proportion, moderate in temperature or climate," borrowed from Latin temperātus "(of persons) restrained, (of temperature or climate) moderate, between extremes," from past participle of temperāre "to exercise moderation, moderate" — more at temper entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of temperate was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near temperate

Cite this Entry

“Temperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

temperate

adjective
tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce temperate (audio)
1
: being or kept within limits
2
: not going too far in satisfying one's needs or desires
3
: not drinking much liquor
4
: marked by self-control : restrained
temperate speech
5
: having or associated with a climate that is usually mild without extremely cold or extremely hot temperatures
temperately adverb
temperateness noun

Medical Definition

temperate

adjective
tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət How to pronounce temperate (audio)
1
: marked by moderation
especially : moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors
2
: existing as a prophage in infected cells and rarely causing lysis
temperate bacteriophages
temperately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on temperate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!