Moderator vs. Facilitator — What's the Difference?

One that arbitrates or mediates.

A facilitator is a person who helps a group of people to work together better, understand their common objectives, and plan how to achieve these objectives, during meetings or discussions. In doing so, the facilitator remains "neutral", meaning they do not take a particular position in the discussion.

One who presides over a meeting, forum, or debate.

To make easy or easier

The officer who presides over a synod or general assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

To lead (a discussion), as by asking questions, mediating between opposing viewpoints, or ensuring that all participants' views are heard.

(Physics) A substance, such as water or graphite, used in a nuclear reactor to decrease the speed of fast neutrons and increase the likelihood of fission.

Something that facilitates

Someone who moderates.

A person who helps a group to have an effective dialog without taking any side of the argument, especially in order to reach a consensus.

An arbitrator or mediator.

Someone who makes progress easier.

The chair or president of a meeting, etc.

Someone who makes progress easier

(Internet) A person who enforces the rules of a discussion forum by deleting posts, banning users, etc.

The person who presides over a synod of a Presbyterian Church.

(nuclear physics) A substance (often water or graphite) used to decrease the speed of fast neutrons in a nuclear reactor and hence increase likelihood of fission.

A device used to deaden some of the noise from a firearm, although not to the same extent as a suppressor or silencer.

(UK) An examiner at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

(Ireland) At the University of Dublin, either the first (senior) or second (junior) in rank in an examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

(UK) Someone who supervises and monitors the setting and marking of examinations by different people to ensure consistency of standards.

A mechanical arrangement for regulating motion in a machine, or producing equality of effect.

(historical) A kind of lamp in which the flow of the oil to the wick is regulated.

One who, or that which, moderates, restrains, or pacifies.

The officer who presides over an assembly or discussion to preserve order, propose questions, regulate the proceedings, and declare the votes.

In the University of Oxford, an examiner for moderations; at Cambridge, the superintendant of examinations for degrees; at Dublin, either the first (senior) or second (junior) in rank in an examination for the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

A mechanical arrangement for regulating motion in a machine, or producing equality of effect.

Any substance used to slow down neutrons in nuclear reactors

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

Someone who presides over a forum or debate

Someone who mediates disputes and attempts to avoid violence