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.

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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)

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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.

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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”; medium, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Qatar hosts senior Hamas leaders and has played a mediating role between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement during the war in Gaza.

From Barron's

This deeply moving novel explores the aftermath of loss and the shape of grief in an age of avatars and algorithmically mediated emotion.

From Los Angeles Times

The US and China have also been attempting to mediate a new ceasefire.

From BBC

Steve Witkoff, who has been leading White House attempts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, will discuss the latest version of the proposed peace agreement in Berlin.

From BBC

Many of the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini’s allies assume he won’t achieve power, possibly increasing their leverage for an eventual mediated settlement.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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