moderation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The state or quality of being moderate; avoidance of extremes.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   ...It regulates and governs the Passions of the Mind, and brings them into due moderation and frame...

   Mr. Chairman, at this moment I stand astonished at my own moderation!

   More examples (2)

   America is a model of force and freedom and moderation - with all the coarseness and rudeness of its people.

   Moderation is a wiser policy than zealotry, I think.

2. An instance of moderating: bringing something away from extremes, especially in a beneficial way.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   With the quick moderation of the weather some buying has appeared that had been held up because of the extremely cold weather […].

3. The process of moderating a discussion.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The moderation of a large online forum can be hard work.

4. Usage of neutron moderator to slow down neutrons in a nuclear reactor.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes

   Synonyms

   moderateness

   Antonyms

   immoderation

   Broader terms

   degreegradelevel

2. a change for the better

   Synonyms

   easingrelief

   Broader terms

   changealterationmodification

3. the trait of avoiding excesses

   Synonyms

   temperance

   Broader terms

   restraintcontrolnatural virtue

4. the action of lessening in severity or intensity

   Synonyms

   mitigation

   Broader terms

   decreasediminutionreductionstep-down

   Examples

   the object being control or moderation of economic depressions