in·ter·me·di·ate
ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət 
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
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
in·ter·me·di·ate
ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ˌāt
intermediated; intermediating; intermediates
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
Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Although the majority of them are best for intermediate climbers (the difficulty grade ranges between 5.10–5.12), there are a few easier options for those newer to the sport.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Alongside Hill and Allgaier, keep your eye on Aric Almirola in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, and Sam Mayer, who's eighth in the standings and always a threat on intermediates.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
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Adjective
According to that case, a law that targets conduct rather than speech is subject to a lower level of review, called intermediate scrutiny.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Although the majority of them are best for intermediate climbers (the difficulty grade ranges between 5.10–5.12), there are a few easier options for those newer to the sport.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Noun
Hamilton was on the right strategy — intermediates, intermediates, softs — but he was jumped by earlier stoppers Hülkenberg and Stroll; Pierre Gasly, who came in on the same lap and Ocon who didn’t pit.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Alongside Hill and Allgaier, keep your eye on Aric Almirola in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, and Sam Mayer, who's eighth in the standings and always a threat on intermediates.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Verb
Previously, it was thought that the show was guaranteed to run for five seasons due to a deal with the Tolkien estate, but there are intermediating circumstances that can alter plans.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Cite this Entry
“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermediate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
intermediate
1 of 2 adjective
in·ter·me·di·ate
ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ət
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
the remaining subjects progressed to some intermediate stage of disease—R. R. Redfield et al.
R. 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
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
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