mediatory
Americanadjective
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pertaining to mediation.
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having the function of mediating.
Usage
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.
Etymology
Origin of mediatory
From the Late Latin word mediātōrius, dating back to 1610–20. See mediate, -tory 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Islamabad’s mediatory role in the war gives the country a rare serving of positive worldwide press.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 2026
The White House is likely to be listening more closely to the mediatory efforts of Turkey and Israel, the two regional players to Syria’s north and south.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 13, 2018
Such language relates to the mediatory and conciliatory functions of friendly governments.
From The Geneva Protocol by Miller, David Hunter
Whatsoever formal power of church government Christ committed to any, he committed it only to those that were properly subordinate to his mediatory kingdom.
From The Divine Right of Church Government by Sundry Ministers Of Christ Within The City Of London by
But no magistrate, as a magistrate, is subordinate properly to Christ's mediatory kingdom.
From The Divine Right of Church Government by Sundry Ministers Of Christ Within The City Of London by
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
