ˈiːzɪŋ mɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən ˌmɑdəˈɹeɪʃən ˌmɒdəˈɹeɪʃən ˈtɛmpəɹəns the action of lessening in severity or intensity the object being control or moderation of economic depressions the trait of avoiding excesses quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes a change for the better