moderation
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the habit of not doing something too much, like eating or drinking, to stay healthy or balanced.
the quality of being moderate; the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one's behavior or habits.
Simple“The doctor told him that he could still eat chocolate, but only in moderation.”
In context“Practising moderation in all aspects of life is often cited by philosophers as the key to long-term happiness and stability.”
UsageCommonly used in the prepositional phrase 'in moderation'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the act of watching over a public discussion or an online forum to make sure people follow the rules.
the process of monitoring and controlling a discussion, especially on the internet, to ensure civil discourse and adherence to community guidelines.
Simple“The website needs better moderation to stop people from posting rude comments.”
In context“Effective content moderation is essential for maintaining a safe environment on social media platforms where misinformation can spread rapidly.”
UsageOften refers specifically to 'content moderation' in digital contexts.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
the act of making something less extreme or intense.
the action of making something less extreme, intense, or violent.
Simple“We have seen a slight moderation in house prices over the last few months.”
In context“Economists noted a moderation in inflation rates, suggesting that the central bank's recent policy changes were beginning to take effect.”
UsageFrequently used in economic or meteorological contexts to describe a decrease in intensity.
Antonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
the process of slowing down tiny particles called neutrons in a nuclear reactor.
the reduction of the speed of neutrons in a nuclear reactor using a specific substance to sustain a chain reaction.
Simple“Water is often used for neutron moderation in these types of power plants.”
In context“The efficiency of the reactor depends heavily on the precise moderation of neutron speeds to maintain a stable nuclear fission process.”
UsageUncountable in this scientific sense.
“Ads on Meta's platforms are only published after first being approved by its moderation technology.”
From Middle French [Term?], from Old French moderacion, from Latin moderātiō. Morphologically moderate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.