Moderation

How to spell moderation

10 letters · 4 syllables

How to pronounce moderation

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does moderation mean?

1. nounThe practice of avoiding extremes or excess, especially in eating, drinking, or behaviour.
2. nounThe act of supervising a discussion, debate, or online forum to keep it orderly.

Moderation in a sentence

• The doctor advised her to enjoy sweets only in moderation.

• The forum relies on volunteer moderation to remove abusive posts.

• Financial advisers preach moderation when it comes to spending.

• Strict moderation kept the live chat free of spam during the broadcast.

Where does moderation come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word traces back to the Latin moderatio, meaning 'a controlling' or 'a keeping within bounds', which grew from the verb moderari, 'to regulate, manage, or restrain'. That verb is related to modus, the Latin word for 'measure' or 'limit', so at its heart moderation is about keeping things to a measured amount. English took the word in through Old French in the late fourteenth century, where it carried the sense of self-control and the avoidance of excess. The same modus root underlies a whole family of familiar words, including 'mode', 'modest', and 'modify', all of which share the idea of measure or limit. Remembering that connection to 'measure' is a useful way to hold on to the single 'd' and the plain -ation ending.

How the word is built

• moder- (from Latin moderari: to regulate, restrain)
• -ation (noun of action)