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

Etymology

Origin of intermediary

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

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

According to the Wall Street Journal, intermediary countries including Qatar have outlined proposals to revive the ceasefire.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

Pakistan, a key intermediary in negotiations, expressed "deep concern at escalation in regional tensions", according to its foreign office.

From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026

The role of any public officer, private individual, financial institution or intermediary that may have facilitated the alleged scheme.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

Payment settlement often involves an intermediary U.S. bank, though not always.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Although Seven was technically the Town Uncle, she needed a lot of training before she could assume her duties and be the intermediary for animal affairs and complaints.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

At the same time, Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries, despite a collapse of a ceasefire.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Diaz-Canel said the government was also considering scrapping state intermediaries in import and export operations.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

The eight intermediaries are not a definitive list of firms that help companies surveil customers, but just those who the FTC reached out to for the study.

From Salon ● May 18, 2026

Despite the standoff, both sides have continued to exchange messages through a range of intermediaries including Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

I could have attempted to discuss the matter with the regent through intermediaries and perhaps come to some settlement within the framework of our tribe and family.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

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