intermediary

American  

[in-ter-mee-dee-er-ee] / ˌɪn tərˈmi diˌɛr i /

noun

• intermediaries
  plural

1. an intermediate agent or agency; a go-between or mediator.

   Synonyms:

   umpire, arbitrator

2. a medium or means.

3. an intermediate form or stage.

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adjective

1. being between; intermediate.

2. acting between persons, parties, etc.; serving as an intermediate agent or agency.

   an intermediary power.

intermediary British  

/ ˌɪntəˈmiːdɪərɪ /

noun

1. a person who acts as a mediator or agent between parties

2. something that acts as a medium or means

3. an intermediate state or period

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adjective

1. acting as an intermediary

2. situated, acting, or coming between; intermediate

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• intermediaries
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of intermediary

1785–95; < Late Latin intermedi ( um ) intervening place + -ary; see intermediate ¹

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Explanation

An intermediary is someone who acts as a go-between or a mediator between two other people. Be careful when you're the intermediary between two friends who are fighting, because they might both end up mad at you! The word intermediary comes from the Latin intermedius, which is also the root word for intermediate. Inter- means between, and medius means the middle — intermediary retains that sense of being in the middle. Intermediaries are used to negotiate between two countries who are at odds, between a company and a client over a contract, between two bickering children, or between a boss and an employee in salary negotiations.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

intermediary intermediaries

Here, the ancilla acts as an intermediary, allowing researchers to obtain information while preserving the original qubit as much as possible.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, China's influence rests partly on its role as an intermediary between Pyongyang and Washington, analysts say, and a direct Trump-Kim deal that sidelines Beijing in Shenzhen could therefore erode its leverage over both sides.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

Vincer told the Journal he served as an intermediary for Nxum’s deal with Tether.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

Mogan, who had an intermediary with him in court, told police during an interview the following day that he had shouted at Semenyo to hurry up.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

A gentleman in Osage County had once approached Agent Burger and introduced himself as an intermediary, a go-between, for Pike.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Megaspeed has reportedly continued buying Nvidia products this year, sometimes using intermediaries, and Chang said those purchases will likely invite questions over how the chip maker is vetting customers.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026

While he doesn’t know the specific charges, he said he learned through intermediaries that his father was targeted for having family members abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

The talks are expected to focus on "messages exchanged with the United States through intermediaries... particularly regarding the conditions set by Iran for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz".

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

Israel has been providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence to help thwart further attacks, using American military intermediaries, according to Israeli media reports.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

When he needed anything he used Kochu Maria or Baby Kochamma as intermediaries.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

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Related Words

• broker
• emissary
• go-between
• mediator
• negotiator

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