moderation

American  

[mod-uh-rey-shuhn] / ˌmɒd əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the quality of being moderate; restraint; avoidance of extremes or excesses; temperance.

2. the act of moderating.

3. British. moderations, the first public examinations at Oxford University for the B.A. degree in mathematics or in classics.

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idioms

1. in moderation, without excess; moderately; temperately.

   to drink in moderation.

moderation British  

/ ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the state or an instance of being moderate; mildness; balance

2. the act of moderating

3. within moderate or reasonable limits

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Other Word Forms

• promoderation
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of moderation

1375–1425; late Middle English moderacion < Latin moderātiōn- (stem of moderātiō ). See moderate, -ion

Explanation

Eating foods in moderation is a key to maintaining a healthy diet. That means you have a little bit of everything, rather than gorging, say, on steak and ice cream. The word moderation describes a middle ground often in either behavior or political opinions. When a politician tries not to be too extreme to the left or right, he is using moderation to hold a middle ground in the hopes of getting as many voters as possible. Moderation can also be the act of tempering an extreme. Try a moderation of your coffee habit, and cut down from 8 cups a day to 2.

Example Sentences

"Il est douteux si cette modération fut l'ouvrage d'une connoissance approfondie de ses vrais intérêts, ou seulement de cette défiance qu'il avoit des grands de son royaume, et qu'il n'osoit perdre de vue."

From The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic — Volume 2 by Prescott, William Hickling

Talleyrand said, 'Il n'y a jamais de modération, où il n'y a pas de goût—et il n'y a pas de gout dans l'amour de la popularité!'

From A Political Diary 1828-1830, Volume II by Ellenborough, Edward Law, Earl of

Ils étoient plus heureux et plus sages que nous, car la vraie sagesse n'est autre chose que la modération des desirs.

From A Year's Journey through France and Part of Spain, Volume 2 by Thicknesse, Philip

Grey a fait observer en même temps que la réponse serbe à la note autrichienne dépassait par sa modération et son esprit de conciliation tout ce à quoi on pouvait s'attendre.

From Why We Are at War (2nd Edition, revised) by University of Oxford. Faculty of Modern History

Elle dépasse toutes nos prévisions par sa modération et son désir de donner la plus complète satisfaction à l'Autriche.

From Why We Are at War (2nd Edition, revised) by University of Oxford. Faculty of Modern History

Related Words

• calmness
• fairness
• patience
• restraint