moderate

Moderate is a chiefly English adjective describing something that is within reasonable limits or not extreme, such as a moderate pace, temperature, amount, or opinion. It can also function as a noun meaning a person who holds centrist or middle-ground views, or, in a different sense, someone who presides over a discussion. As a verb, to moderate means to regulate, temper, or soften; to preside over a debate or online forum and enforce rules.

The word derives from Latin moderatus "restrained, guided," from modus "measure." In English it has been used since the Middle Ages to signify restraint or temperance, later expanding to describe political centrism and controlled handling of events.

In modern politics, moderates favor gradual reforms, compromise, and pragmatic solutions over ideological extremes. The label is context-dependent: a moderate in one country may hold different positions than in another, and party names such as "Moderate Party" have existed in various liberal democracies.

Moderation also refers to the process of supervising content or discussions to enforce rules, to minimize harm, or to limit extremes; in online platforms, moderators review posts and remove offenses. Moderation can also refer to tempering or limiting sensory experiences, such as moderation of alcohol or exposure to risks.

In summary, moderate denotes a middle-ground or restrained approach across language, politics, and discourse.