Dictionary.com

mediatory

[ mee-dee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]
/ ˈmi di əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /
Save This Word!
adjective
pertaining to mediation.
having the function of mediating.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of mediatory

From the Late Latin word mediātōrius, dating back to 1610–20. See mediate, -tory1

Words nearby mediatory

mediation, mediative, mediatize, mediator, mediatorial, mediatory, mediatrix, Medibank, medic, medicable, Medicaid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT MEDIATORY

What does mediatory mean?

Mediatory is used to describe things that involve mediation—the process in which an intermediary or go-between helps to settle a dispute or create agreement when there is conflict between two or more people or groups.

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 act in a mediatory capacity to help two friends settle an argument. But mediation and related terms are 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.

Example: I tried to take a mediatory role to smooth things over between my sisters.

Where does mediatory come from?

The first records of the word mediatory come from the 1600s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb mediāre, meaning “to be in the middle” or “to intercede.” The words intermediary and medium are related. The suffix -tory is used to form adjectives.

Mediatory is used to describe any action or process that involves a third party interceding in the middle of a conflict. This person, called 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 for a mediator. Successful mediation often involves compromise.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mediatory?

What are some words that share a root or word element with mediatory? 

What are some words that often get used in discussing mediatory?

 

How is mediatory used in real life?

The word mediatory can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it always involves someone acting to help two parties come to an agreement.

 

 

Try using mediatory!

Is mediatory used correctly in the following sentence?

My actions were intended to be mediatory—I was trying to get the two parties to meet in the middle.

How to use mediatory in a sentence

FEEDBACK