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 chairperson 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
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
Whoopi Goldberg, the talk show’s moderator, announced the return of her cohost at the end of today’s episode, saying Griffin would return after the holiday.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
On Kristi Noem’s record The KELO moderators asked the candidates to grade former Kristi Noem’s performance as governor.
—Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 1 Apr. 2026
In it, a woman (Ferreira) who works as a content moderator for a major video platform discovers what appears to be reenactments of murders from the original film.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderator
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Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
On Kristi Noem’s record The KELO moderators asked the candidates to grade former Kristi Noem’s performance as governor.
—Joshua Haiar, States Newsroom, 1 Apr. 2026
In it, a woman (Ferreira) who works as a content moderator for a major video platform discovers what appears to be reenactments of murders from the original film.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
Rabbi Irwin Kula, the panel’s moderator, asked the participants to describe their biggest fear or nightmare.
—Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderator
Cite this Entry
“Moderator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderator. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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