intermediate

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
1
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
2
: of or relating to an intermediate school
an intermediate curriculum
intermediately adverb
intermediateness noun

intermediate

2 of 3

noun

1
: one that is intermediate
2
3
a
: a chemical compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usually intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex products
b
: a usually short-lived chemical species formed in a reaction as an intermediate step between the starting material and the final product
4
: an automobile larger than a compact but smaller than a full-sized automobile

intermediate

3 of 3

verb

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ˌāt How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
intermediated; intermediating; intermediates

intransitive verb

1
2
: to act as an intermediate

Examples of intermediate in a Sentence

Adjective an intermediate stage of growth I'm taking intermediate French this year. Noun she often used her father as an intermediate in arguments with her mother Verb if the secretary-general chooses to intermediate in this dispute, he'll need all of his diplomatic skills just to get both sides in the same room
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Again, focus on the terminal value, not on the intermediate values. Korok Ray, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 A week after the Bears got the deep ball going, Sunday saw a lot of intermediate throws and Williams was quick to see it and decisive with good location. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
Dangerous stuff The two chemicals at issue are primarily used as intermediates in the manufacture of common products. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 9 Apr. 2024 Stowe, Vermont Roughly a three-hour drive from Boston, Stowe offers an incredibly varied terrain for its 116 different trails: 16 percent are considered beginner, 55 percent are for intermediates, and 29 percent are for expert-level skiers and snowboarders. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
This creates a toxic buildup of LPS biosynthesis intermediates in the cell. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024 On the statewide ballot is the nonpartisan seat for Wisconsin Supreme Court and two nonpartisan seats for Wisconsin intermediate appellate courts. Ridah Syed, Journal Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for intermediate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intermediate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin intermediatus, from Latin intermedius, from inter- + medius mid, middle — more at mid

Verb

Medieval Latin intermediatus, past participle of intermediare, from Latin inter- + Late Latin mediare to mediate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermediate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near intermediate

Cite this Entry

“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermediate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

intermediate

adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate
ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ət
: being or occurring in the middle or between extremes
intermediate noun
intermediately adverb
Etymology

Adjective

Middle Latin intermediatus "intermediate," derived from Latin inter- "among, in the midst" and medius "middle" — related to median entry 1

Medical Definition

intermediate

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
the remaining subjects progressed to some intermediate stage of diseaseR. R. Redfield et al.

intermediate

2 of 2 noun
: one that is intermediate
especially : a chemical compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usually intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex products
pharmaceutical intermediates

Legal Definition

intermediate

adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
1
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
an intermediate order
2
: of, relating to, or being a level of judicial scrutiny to ensure equal protection of the laws that is applied to a statute involving classification of persons and that is more intensive than the rational basis test and not as severe as strict scrutiny
intermediate review
intermediate scrutiny
intermediately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intermediate

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