3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use moderate to describe something that is neither large nor small in amount or degree. □ While a moderate amount of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can exhaust you. □ …moderate exercise. ● mod|er|ate|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □ Both are moderately large insects. □ I don't smoke and I drink only moderately.
4 ADJ A moderate change in something is a change that is not great. □ Most drugs offer either no real improvement or, at best, only moderate improvements. ● mod|er|ate|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Share prices on the Tokyo Exchange declined moderately.
5 VERB If you moderate something or if it moderates , it becomes less extreme or violent and easier to deal with or accept. □ [V n] They are hoping that once in office he can be persuaded to moderate his views. □ [V ] Amongst relief workers, the immediate sense of crisis has moderated somewhat. ● mod|era|tion /mɒ dəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of/in ] A moderation in food prices helped to offset the first increase in energy prices. SYNONYMS moderate ADJ
1
mild: Teddy turned to Mona with a look of mild confusion.
limited: They may only have a limited amount of time to get their points across.
restrained: Caroline's greeting seemed a little restrained.
3
reasonable: They will need a reasonable amount of desk area and good light.
average: …a woman of average height.
acceptable: We've made an acceptable start, but it could've been better.
mod|era|tion /mɒ dəre I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone's behaviour shows moderation , you approve of them because they act in a way that you think is reasonable and not extreme. [APPROVAL ] □ The United Nations Secretary General called on all parties to show moderation. ● PHRASE If you say that someone does something such as eat, drink, or smoke in moderation , you mean that they do not eat, smoke, or drink too much or more than is reasonable. □ Many adults are able to drink in moderation, but others become dependent on alcohol.
2 → see also moderate
mod|era|tor /mɒ dəre I tə r / (moderators )
1 N‑COUNT In some Protestant churches, a moderator is a senior member of the clergy who is in charge at large and important meetings. □ [+ of ] …a former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
2 N‑COUNT In debates and negotiations, the moderator is the person who is in charge of the discussion and makes sure that it is conducted in a fair and organized way. [FORMAL ]
mod|ern ◆◆◇ /mɒ də r n/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Modern means relating to the present time, for example the present decade or present century. □ …the problem of materialism in modern society. □ …the risks facing every modern marriage.
2 ADJ Something that is modern is new and involves the latest ideas or equipment. □ Modern technology has opened our eyes to many things. □ In many ways, it was a very modern school for its time. ● mo|der|nity /mɒdɜː r n I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …an office block that astonished the city with its modernity.
3 ADJ People are sometimes described as modern when they have opinions or ways of behaviour that have not yet been accepted by most people in a society. □ She is very modern in outlook.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Modern is used to describe styles of art, dance, music, and architecture that have developed in recent times, in contrast to classical styles. □ …a modern dance company. □ …the Museum of Modern Art.
mo dern-da y ADJ [ADJ n] Modern-day is used to refer to the new or modern aspects of a place, an activity, or a society. □ …modern-day America. □ …the by-products of modern-day living.
mod|ern|ise /mɒ də r na I z/ → see modernize
mod|ern|ism /mɒ də r n I zəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Modernism was a movement in the arts in the first half of the twentieth century that rejected traditional values and techniques, and emphasized the importance of individual experience.
2 → see also post-modernism
mod|ern|ist /mɒ də r n I st/ (modernists )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Modernist means relating to the ideas and methods of modern art. □ …modernist architecture. □ …modernist art.
2 → see also post-modernist
mod|ern|is|tic /mɒ də r n I st I k/ ADJ A modernistic building or piece of furniture looks very modern.
mod|ern|ize /mɒ də r na I z/ (modernizes , modernizing , modernized ) in BRIT, also use modernise VERB To modernize something such as a system or a factory means to change it by replacing old equipment or methods with new ones. □ [V n] …plans to modernize the refinery. ● mod|ern|iz|ing ADJ □ In effect, modernizing societies are portrayed as battlegrounds. ● mod|erni|za|tion /mɒ də r na I ze I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ …a five-year modernization programme.
mod|ern|iz|er /mɒ də r na I zə r / (modernizers ) in BRIT, also use moderniser N‑COUNT A modernizer is someone who replaces old equipment or methods with new ones.