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mediate

[ verb mee-dee-eyt; adjective mee-dee-it ]
/ verb ˈmi diˌeɪt; adjective ˈmi di ɪt /
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See synonyms for: mediate / mediated / mediating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), me·di·at·ed, me·di·at·ing.
to settle (disputes, strikes, etc.) as an intermediary between parties; reconcile.
to bring about (an agreement, accord, truce, peace, etc.) as an intermediary between parties by compromise, reconciliation, removal of misunderstanding, etc.
to effect (a result) or convey (a message, gift, etc.) by or as if by an intermediary.
verb (used without object), me·di·at·ed, me·di·at·ing.
to act between parties to effect an agreement, compromise, reconciliation, etc.
to occupy an intermediate place or position.
adjective
acting through, dependent on, or involving an intermediate agency; not direct or immediate.
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Origin of mediate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Late Latin mediātus, past participle of mediāre “to be in the middle, intercede”; see medium, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM mediate

me·di·ate·ly [mee-dee-it-lee], /ˈmi di ɪt li/, adverbme·di·ate·ness [mee-dee-it-nis], /ˈmi di ɪt nɪs/, nounself-me·di·at·ing, adjectiveun·me·di·at·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT MEDIATE

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.

Where does mediate come from?

The first records of the word mediate come from around 1400. It comes from the Latin verb mediāre, meaning “to be in the middle” or “to intercede.” The words intermediary and medium are related.

Mediating involves interceding in the middle of a conflict. A mediator is not there to take sides but instead to help promote agreement or reconciliation. In other words, the point of mediation is to find common ground so that there is no longer a need to mediate. Successful mediation often involves compromise.

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How is mediate used in real life?

The word mediate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

 

 

Try using mediate!

Which of the following words is a synonym of mediate?

A. arbitrate
B. intercede
C. intervene
D. all of the above

How to use mediate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mediate

mediate

verb (ˈmiːdɪˌeɪt)
adjective (ˈmiːdɪɪt)

Derived forms of mediate

Word Origin for mediate

C16: from Late Latin mediāre to be in the middle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for mediate

mediate
[ mēdē-āt′ ]

To effect or convey a force between subatomic particles. The gauge bosons, for example, mediate the four fundamental forces of nature.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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