MODERATOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does moderator mean? 

• MODERATOR (noun)
  The noun MODERATOR has 4 senses:

1. any substance used to slow down neutrons in nuclear reactors

2. in the Presbyterian church, the officer who presides over a synod or general assembly

3. someone who presides over a forum or debate

4. someone who mediates disputes and attempts to avoid violence

  Familiarity information: MODERATOR used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MODERATOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any substance used to slow down neutrons in nuclear reactors

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("moderator" is a kind of...):

inhibitor (a substance that retards or stops an activity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "moderator"):

deuterium oxide; heavy water (water containing a substantial proportion of deuterium atoms, used in nuclear reactors)

Holonyms ("moderator" is a part of...):

nuclear reactor; reactor ((physics) any of several kinds of apparatus that maintain and control a nuclear reaction for the production of energy or artificial elements)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In the Presbyterian church, the officer who presides over a synod or general assembly

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("moderator" is a kind of...):

presiding officer (the leader of a group meeting)

Derivation:

moderatorship (the position of moderator)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Someone who presides over a forum or debate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("moderator" is a kind of...):

presiding officer (the leader of a group meeting)

Derivation:

moderate (preside over)

moderatorship (the position of moderator)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Someone who mediates disputes and attempts to avoid violence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("moderator" is a kind of...):

go-between; intercessor; intermediary; intermediator; mediator (a negotiator who acts as a link between parties)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "moderator"):

modifier (a moderator who makes less extreme or uncompromising)

Derivation:

moderate (make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else)

moderatorship (the position of moderator)