4 syllables: mod, er, a, tion. Stress on a.
mah-dur-AY-shuhn
/ˌmɑdɚˈeɪʃən/
moderation is pronounced mah-dur-AY-shuhn (/ˌmɑdɚˈeɪʃən/). It has four syllables (mod-er-a-tion), with the stress on "a". Moderation refers to the avoidance of excess in action, appetite, or expression, aiming for balanced conduct or regulation within guidelines. It is also used to describe the state or practice of keeping things within reasonable limits, or of applying cautious control in a given activity. The term often implies measured, temperate behavior or policy.
Moderation refers to the avoidance of excess in action, appetite, or expression, aiming for balanced conduct or regulation within guidelines. It is also used to describe the state or practice of keeping things within reasonable limits, or of applying cautious control in a given activity. The term often implies measured, temperate behavior or policy.
- You may misplace the primary stress on the first or second syllable instead of the 'reɪ' syllable; practice the three-syllable rhythm and emphasize the /reɪ/ segment. - The middle vowel can reduce to a weak vowel in rapid speech; keep a clear /ə/ in the second syllable to preserve the word’s form. - The ending /ʃən/ can slur; practice a distinct /ʃ/ followed by a soft /ən/ to avoid "shun" mispronunciations.
"To maintain health, she practices moderation in her diet and exercise."
"The event’s moderation ensured civil discourse among the speakers."
"The policy calls for moderation of internet content to protect users."
Pronounce as /ˌmɒd.əˈreɪ.ʃən/. Start with /mɒd/ (rhymes with 'god' but with an o as in 'not'), then a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, and stress the third syllable: /ˈreɪ/ as in 'rain', followed by /ʃən/ as in 'shun'. The overall rhythm is three syllables with primary stress on the third syllable: mod-uh-RAY-shun. Audio resources: consult Cambridge or Merriam-Webster for native-speaker pronunciations.
Common errors include misplacing stress, saying /ˌmɒd.əˈreɪ.ən/ with wrong primary stress, and reducing the /reɪ/ to a weaker vowel like /riː/ or /eɪ/. Another pitfall is pronouncing the ending as /ən/ without the light /ɪən/ or /ʃən/ blend, or slurring the /d/ into the following /ə/. Correction: use the clear /d/ for the first syllable, keep the /ə/ in the second syllable, stress the /reɪ/ syllable, and articulate the final /ʃən/ fully for a natural cadence.
In US, UK, and AU, the primary stress remains on the 'reɪ' syllable, but vowel quality shifts: US often has a flatter /ɒ/ in the first syllable (as in 'lot' in many dialects), UK tends toward a more rounded /ɒ/ and a crisper /ˈreɪ/, while AU may display a broader vowel in /ɒ/ and more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable. Rhoticity is common in US; UK and AU can be non-rhotic in some varieties, subtly affecting the linking of consonants. Overall, the rhythm stays three syllables with stress on the third, but vowel timbre varies.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the sequence /d.əˈreɪ.ʃən/: the 'd' and schwa can blur in casual speech, while the stressed /ˈreɪ/ requires a clear, tense vowel which contrasts with the softer preceding /d/ and following /ʃən/. Additionally, non-rhotic variants may reduce the visible linking between syllables, and listeners may misplace the primary stress. Focusing on a crisp /d/ onset, a pronounced /reɪ/ nucleus, and a full /ʃən/ ending helps.
Moderation’s scheduling of syllables and the 'ation' suffix create a distinct /ˌəˈreɪ.ʃən/ contour. Unlike 'moderate' (/ˈmɒd.ə.reɪt/), moderation ends with a softer /ʃən/ rather than an /eɪt/, and the schwa in the second syllable is essential for natural flow. Its prefix 'mod-' shares phonetic ground with 'mod' in 'modern' but the full word demands careful attention to the /ˈreɪ/ nucleus rather than a quick /reɪm/ blend.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "moderation"!
- US: rhotic /r/ may be pronounced and contribute to a crisper overall tone; ensure the /ɹ/ doesn't bleed into the preceding syllable. - UK: non-rhotic tendencies may reduce linking; the /r/ is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel. - AU: vowel quality tends to broader, with more centralized schwa in the middle; keep the final /ʃən/ clear. IPA references: US /ˌmɒ.dəˈreɪ.ʃən/, UK /ˌmɒ.dəˈreɪ.ʃən/, AU /ˌmɒ.dəˈreɪ.ʃən/. - General tip: practice with minimal pairs to feel the /d/ vs /t/ onset in similar words; use slow-to-fast pacing while maintaining three distinct syllables.
Moderation derives from the Latin moderatio, from modus ‘measure, limit’ with the suffix -atio denoting a state or action. The root Latin word modus has a direct sense of measure or boundary, which extended in Classical Latin to describe temperance or regulation of conduct. Through Old French, moderation entered English as moderacion before stabilizing in Middle English with the spelling moderation by influence of the modern French form modération. The concept has long been linked to governance, philosophy, and personal conduct: keeping passions within limits, or calibrating actions to avoid extremes. In historical usage, moderation appeared in moral and political discourses—insisting on balance in moral virtues and public policy as opposed to zeal or excess. By the early modern period, moderation also carried connotations of moderation in scientific and philosophical discourse about temperance and between extremes in ethical discussions. First known use in English is attested in the 14th–15th centuries, evolving in spelling and semantics as social norms around restraint and proportion broadened. As a pragmatic term, moderation today encompasses self-control in daily life and structured regulation in governance, media, and technology.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "moderation" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "moderation" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "moderation" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "moderation"
-ion sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
