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

• chairperson
• president
• chairman
• presider

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

Chu was later interviewed about the creative process by Kristen Welker, the moderator of Meet the Press. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

Have an agenda and a moderator. —Joe Moglia, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

James Austin Johnson of Saturday Night Live will serve as the night’s MC and moderator. —Michele Amabile Angermiller, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

Yurachek told moderator Matt Jones that the Razorbacks' football scheduling plan will be to add one FCS-level opponent -- such as Alabama A&M in last week's 52-7 season-opening rout at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville -- and one Group of Five team, as is the case with Arkansas State. —Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for moderator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

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