adjective
    
    average in size or amount :neither too much nor too little
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    neither very good nor very bad
    
    
    
    
    
    [more ~; most ~] :not expensive :not too high in price
    
    
    
    [more ~; most ~] :having or expressing political beliefs that are neither very liberal nor very conservative
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [more ~; most ~]
    
    avoiding behavior that goes beyond what is normal, healthy, or acceptable
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    not showing strong emotions or excitement
    
    
    
    noun
    
    plural -ates
    
    [count] :a person whose political ideas are not extreme :a person who has moderate opinions or is a member of a moderate political group
    
    
    
    verb
    
    -ates; -ated; -ating
    
    to make (something) less harsh, strong, or severe or to become less harsh, strong, or severe [+ obj]
    
    
    
    
    
    to guide a discussion or direct a meeting that involves a group of people [no obj]