1.nounOne who holds an intermediate position between extremes, as in politics.
"The moderates are the natural advocates of ecumenism against the fanatics of their churches."
2.nounOne of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of evangelicalism and popular rights. It caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.