middleman

American  

[mid-l-man] / ˈmɪd lˌmæn /

noun

plural

middlemen

1. a person who plays an economic role intermediate between producer and retailer or consumer.

2. a person who acts as an intermediary.

---

middleman British  

/ ˈmɪdəlˌmæn /

noun

1. an independent trader engaged in the distribution of goods from producer to consumer

2. an intermediary

3. theatre the interlocutor in minstrel shows

---

Etymology

Origin of middleman

1400–50; late Middle English: maker of girdles; middle, man

Example Sentences

It cuts out the middleman and offers more affordable prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

Jeffries' lawyers argue that he is suffering with dementia and late onset of Alzheimer's disease and is unfit to face trial alongside his partner and their alleged middleman in October.

From BBC

Russia has long relied on middlemen to sell oil.

From The Wall Street Journal

As these nations look to Beijing for security, China’s power as a middleman grows.

From The Wall Street Journal

With car prices soaring, one man deploys dealer speak to talk down the sticker price on behalf of buyers: “You’re hiring a middleman to deal with the middleman to make the middleman more efficient.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• go-between
• mediator
• wholesaler