mediate

[mee-dee-eyt, mee-dee-it]

verb (used with object)

mediated, mediating 

1. to settle (disputes, strikes, etc.) as an intermediary between parties; reconcile.

   Synonyms: arbitrate

2. to bring about (an agreement, accord, truce, peace, etc.) as an intermediary between parties by compromise, reconciliation, removal of misunderstanding, etc.

   Synonyms: arbitrate

3. to effect (a result) or convey (a message, gift, etc.) by or as if by an intermediary.

verb (used without object)

mediated, mediating 

1. to act between parties to effect an agreement, compromise, reconciliation, etc.

   Synonyms: intervene, intercede

2. to occupy an intermediate place or position.

adjective

1. acting through, dependent on, or involving an intermediate agency; not direct or immediate.

mediate

verb

1. (intr; usually foll by between or in) to intervene (between parties or in a dispute) in order to bring about agreement

2. to bring about (an agreement)

3. to bring about (an agreement) between parties in a dispute

4. to resolve (differences) by mediation

5. (intr) to be in a middle or intermediate position

6. (tr) to serve as a medium for causing (a result) or transferring (objects, information, etc)

adjective

1. occurring as a result of or dependent upon mediation

2. a rare word for intermediate

3. logic (of an inference) having more than one premise, esp, being syllogistic in form

mediate

1. To effect or convey a force between subatomic particles. The gauge bosons, for example, mediate the four fundamental forces of nature.

Other Word Forms

• mediately adverb
• mediateness noun
• self-mediating adjective
• unmediating adjective
• mediator noun
• mediatorially adverb
• mediative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin mediātus, past participle of mediāre “to be in the middle, intercede”; medium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediate¹

C16: from Late Latin mediāre to be in the middle

Example Sentences

Talks between the Venezuelan opposition and the Maduro government mediated by Norway and held in Barbados broke down as did an earlier Vatican-backed effort at finding a way out of Venezuela's political crisis.

Read more on BBC

The ceremony was held in Qatar, which along with the US and the African Union, has been trying to mediate an end to decades of conflict in the resource-rich region.

Read more on BBC

Boulos said the US and its mediating partners in Sudan were calling on the two sides to agree to a "three-month humanitarian truce".

Read more on Barron's

The company is set to mediate in private to try to resolve its differences with creditors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Several previous cease-fire deals mediated by the U.S.,

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arbitrate 
• intercede 
• interfere 
• intervene 
• negotiate 
• resolve 

When To Use

What does mediate mean?

Mediate means to help to settle a dispute or create agreement when there is conflict between two or more people or groups by acting as an intermediary or go-between for those parties.A person who acts as an intermediary or go-between in this way can be called a mediator. The act or process of mediating is called mediation. Mediation always involves a mediator acting as an impartial third party to guide the communication between the conflicting parties.Sometimes, mediation happens in an informal way. You might help two friends by mediating their argument. But the word is perhaps most commonly used in more specific ways in formal situations, such as when a mediator mediates a labor dispute between a company and its striking employees or when a mediator mediates a divorce for two spouses.When mediation occurs in an official or legal context, such as when it has been ordered by a judge, it is often called arbitration. Arbitration usually involves a decision that the parties are bound by. Mediation is typically less formal and usually involves suggestions for settling differences, as opposed to binding decisions.Example: I know you two have your differences, so I’d like to mediate a meeting to see if you can come to an understanding.