mediate

1 of 2

adjective

me·​di·​ate ˈmē-dē-ət 

1

: occupying a middle position

2

a

: acting through an intervening agency

b

: exhibiting indirect causation, connection, or relation

the disease spreads by mediate as well as direct contact

—Veterinary Record

mediacy

ˈmē-dē-ə-sē 

noun

mediately adverb

mediate

2 of 2

verb

me·​di·​ate ˈmē-dē-ˌāt 

mediated; mediating

transitive verb

1

a

: to bring accord out of by action as an intermediary (see intermediary entry 1 sense 1a)

endeavored to mediate East-West differences on several important issues

—Collier's Year Book

b

: to effect by action as an intermediary (see intermediary entry 1 sense 1a)

mediated a settlement that was satisfactory to both sides

2

a

: to act as intermediary (see intermediary entry 2 sense 2) agent in bringing, effecting, or communicating : convey

individuals … mediate the culture to the child

—Margaret Mead

b

: to transmit as intermediate mechanism or agency

intransitive verb

1

: to interpose between parties in order to reconcile (see reconcile sense 1a) them

2

: to reconcile (see reconcile sense 1b) differences

mediative

ˈmē-dē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

mediatory

ˈmē-dē-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Did you know?

Mediation is often used in disputes between companies and labor unions, and the government actually provides mediators for such disagreements. The mediator tries to bring the two sides to an agreement, but doesn't have the power to actually order such an agreement. Mediators also sometimes have a role in international disputes; when two neighboring countries claim exclusive fishing rights in the same ocean waters, for example, they may invite a trained mediator to help settle the argument. Arbitration is similar to mediation, but in arbitration both parties in a dispute agree to accept the arbitrator's decision.

Synonyms

Adjective

• halfway
• middle
• intermediary
• medial
• central
• median

Verb

• intervene
• interfere

Choose the Right Synonym for mediate

interpose, interfere, intervene, mediate, intercede mean to come or go between.

interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict.

quarreled until the manager intervened

mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

Examples of mediate in a Sentence

Adjective

has a black-and-white view of human nature, believing that there is no mediate state between good and evil

Verb

He has been appointed to mediate the dispute.

He is attempting to mediate a settlement between the company and the striking workers.

Negotiators are trying to mediate a ceasefire.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trump thanks Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for helping mediate peace talks President Donald Trump thanked Qatar, Egypt and Turkey for helping mediate the talks between Israel and Hamas that led to the breakthrough. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

The money covers a range of expenses, including staff that help homeless people find housing and mediate conflicts between new roommates. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025

Verb

To deal with stress, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends making time to unwind through practicing gratitude, doing relaxing activities, mediating and journaling. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025

For a time, McKesson said, the university also appeared to be mediating conversations between Peete’s victims and his immediate family. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Late Latin mediatus intermediate, from past participle of mediare

Verb

Medieval Latin mediatus, past participle of mediare, from Late Latin, to be in the middle, from Latin medius middle

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for mediate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

mediate

verb

me·​di·​ate

ˈmēd-ē-ˌāt

mediated; mediating

1

: to work with opposing sides in an argument in order to bring about an agreement

mediate a settlement

mediate a dispute

2

: to pass on or act as a mechanism or agency that is between others

mediation

ˌmēd-ē-ˈā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

mediate

1 of 2 adjective

me·​di·​ate ˈmēd-ē-ət 

1

: occupying a middle position

2

: acting through an intervening agency : exhibiting indirect causation, connection, or relation

mediate

2 of 2 transitive verb

me·​di·​ate ˈmēd-ē-ˌāt 

mediated; mediating

: to transmit or carry (as a physical process or effect) as an intermediate mechanism or agency