temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət 

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

Synonyms

• moderate

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

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

Phrases Containing temperate

• temperate rainforest
• temperate zone

Kids Definition

temperate

adjective

tem·​per·​ate ˈtem-p(ə-)rət 

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 

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