mediator

American  

[mee-dee-ey-ter] / ˈmi diˌeɪ tər /

noun

1. a person who mediates, especially between parties at variance.

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Usage

What does mediator mean? A mediator is a person who mediates—helps 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. 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 act as a mediator for 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 and is performed by an arbitrator. 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 act as a mediator while you talk it out and try to come to an understanding.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undermediator
  noun
• mediatorship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of mediator

First recorded in 1250–1300; from Anglo-French mediatur, Old French mediatour, from Latin mediātor “go-between, intermediary”; see mediate, -tor

Explanation

A mediator is a person who helps negotiate between two feuding parties. When a married couple is considering getting divorced, they sometimes hire a mediator to help them come to an agreement, and possibly even avoid divorce. The word mediator goes back to the Latin word medius, which means middle. A mediator is supposed to remain in the neutral middle rather than taking one side over another, in order to help both sides resolve a dispute. Mediators negotiate between employers and employees, disputing couples, and in schools helping kids work out their conflicts peacefully rather than fighting on the playground or lunchroom.

Example Sentences

Beijing has also long served as the main mediator between Kim's pariah regime and the rest of the world.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

"In recent days, many countries -- both regional and non-regional -- have been trying to help bring the war to an end... However, Pakistan remains the official mediator."

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Iran is examining a new US proposal and the powerful army chief of mediator Pakistan is heading to Tehran.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Since the war with Iran began nearly three months ago, Pakistan has hosted U.S.-Iran peace talks and emerged as the conflict’s most important mediator.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Methuselah also attended to act as mediator and counselor, approving some ideas while discouraging others, calming the hothead and encouraging the timid.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• advocate
• arbiter
• arbitrator
• broker
• go-between
• intermediary
• judge
• negotiator
• peacemaker
• referee
• troubleshooter