mediation

American  

[mee-dee-ey-shuhn] / ˌmi diˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

mediations plural

1. action in mediating between parties, as to effect an agreement or reconciliation.

2. International Law. an attempt to effect a peaceful settlement between disputing nations through the friendly good offices of another power.

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mediation British  

/ ˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of mediating; intercession

2. international law an attempt to reconcile disputed matters arising between states, esp by the friendly intervention of a neutral power

3. a method of resolving an industrial dispute whereby a third party consults with those involved and recommends a solution which is not, however, binding on the parties

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mediation Cultural  

1. The attempt to settle a dispute through a neutral party.

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Usage

What does mediation mean? Mediation is the act or process of mediating—helping 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. 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 participate in an informal mediation to help settle an argument. But the word is perhaps most commonly used in more specific ways in formal situations, such as mediation between a company and its striking employees or mediation between spouses who are getting divorced. 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 recommend engaging in some formal mediation to see if you can come to an understanding.

Synonym Usage

Mediation, arbitration designate processes for bringing about agreement or reconciliation between opponents in a dispute. Mediation implies deliberation that results in solutions that may or may not be accepted by the contending parties. Arbitration involves a more formal deliberation, it being understood that the results will be binding on the contending parties.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonmediation
  noun
• submediation
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mediations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mediation

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin mediātiōn-, stem of mediātiō “division in the middle, intervention,” from mediāt(us) “divided in the middle” (past participle of mediāre; see mediate) + -iō -ion

Explanation

When two sides disagree, it's time for mediation — a process where someone uninvolved helps settle a dispute. You often hear about mediation in the world of labor unions. If the employer and the union can't agree, they might go to mediation — they'll let some impartial third party settle the issue. The goal of mediation is to reach an agreement or a settlement. The U.S. often tries to provide mediation between countries that have problems, like India and Pakistan. Mediation is sometimes like negotiation. Both sides will be expected to compromise, or they'll never be able to move forward.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mediation mediations

A lull in fighting between the U.S. and Iran since Friday has prompted a new push for mediation, which included a proposed 10-day ceasefire plan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

Algorithmic mediation of the past means that the greatest weight will be given to what privileged institutions have already been able to preserve in the greatest numbers.

From Salon ● Jul. 28, 2026

But our research suggests something more significant is occurring in terms of changing consumer interest in spaces related to horror or trauma, their mediation, and new ways of experiencing them.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

The confrontation could continue for months through cycles of attacks, mediation and temporary ceasefires.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Chief Buthelezi agreed to provisionally register for the elections in exchange for a promise to subject our differences over constitutional issues to international mediation.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Attorneys representing Purdue, the Sackler family and other stakeholder groups, including victims, began months of confidential mediations.

From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026

Another role crypto is playing in the war is genuinely novel, and it complicates the mediations in Pakistan in a different register.

From Barron's ● Apr. 18, 2026

Though 2019 was the busiest year for mediations in the last decade, only 72 cases were referred that year, according to the department’s annual reports.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2025

Koehler said the protesters’ decision to settle came after a series of confidential mediations between the plaintiffs and city.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 24, 2024

When the state offered a settlement in the Moss case, Karen Gievers suggested to the Courters that they accept it on my behalf and continue mediations in the other two actions, which they did.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Related Words

• arbitration
• conciliation
• intervention
• negotiation
• reconciliation