mediate

American  

[mee-dee-eyt, mee-dee-it] / ˈmi diˌeɪt, ˈmi di ɪt /

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 British  

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 Scientific  

/ mē′dē-āt′ /

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

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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, -ate ¹

Explanation

If your two best friends aren't speaking to each other, you might find yourself trying to mediate a peace accord between them. To mediate is to go from one to another and try to make peace. Mediate derives from the Latin medius "middle," and people who mediate are in the middle, between the parties. Other things that are in the middle can be said to mediate as well. Your mind can mediate between your two conflicting personalities.

Example Sentences

Oman is a key US ally which has tried to mediate the Middle East war and has itself come under attack from Tehran.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

If the Constitution treats all of that information as voluntarily exposed merely because third parties mediate it technologically, then the Fourth Amendment contracts dramatically without anyone ever formally rewriting it.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

"We are now certain that grapes act as a superfood and mediate a nutrigenomic response in humans," said John Pezzuto, Ph.D.,

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

Rana was put on paid leave while the bank tried to mediate the claims with him, later offering him $1 million to settle them.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

In a tribe, where many people are still close relatives and everyone at least knows everybody else by name, mutual relatives and mutual friends mediate the quarrel.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

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