intermediary

[in-ter-mee-dee-er-ee]

noun

plural

intermediaries 

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.

adjective

1. being between; intermediate.

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

   an intermediary power.

intermediary

/ 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

adjective

1. acting as an intermediary

2. situated, acting, or coming between; intermediate

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermediary¹

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

Example Sentences

A company called Purple Heart reportedly acted an an intermediary in the transfer.

Read more on Barron's

Due to the sheer volume of public companies and proposals, institutional investors—who manage vast portfolios—have come to rely on proxy advisory firms as essential intermediaries.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The new study concludes that a lion's roaring sequence includes both the established full-throated roar and the intermediary version, overturning the long-standing assumption that only one roar type existed.

Read more on Science Daily

There is now a more ubiquitous secondary market where originating lenders can sell their mortgages to intermediaries that securitize them and sell pieces to investors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Military companies under sanction could get access to dollar clearing via shell companies or Chinese intermediaries, making ownership nearly impossible to trace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• broker 
• emissary 
• go-between 
• mediator 
• negotiator www.thesaurus.com