mediation

noun

me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce mediation (audio)
: the act or process of mediating: such as
a
: intervention between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise
The town feud raged until April … when, with the mediation of William N. Byers the dispute was settled and the name of Denver selected for the settlement.Thomas A. Martin
specifically : a means of resolving disputes outside of the judicial system by voluntary participation in negotiations structured by agreement of the parties and usually conducted under the guidance and supervision of a trained intermediary
More couples are considering mediation—or using a mediator to help them reach a compromise—rather than hiring two lawyers who fight it out for their clients. Mary Rowland
b
: indirect conveyance or communication through an intermediary
Islam recognizes no ordination, no sacraments, no priestly mediation between the believer and God.Bernard Lewis
Like any of the other emporiums of the western ocean, Mogadishu had plenty of employment for the commercial brokers … who provided the crucial mediation between the arriving sea merchants and the local wholesalers.Ross E. Dunn
c
: transmission by an intermediate mechanism or agency
The critical role of the hippocampus in the mediation of normal memory processes has been highlighted by the observation that in human patients bilateral damage to the medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus, produces an extensive and durable amnesia for new information.Raymond P. Kesner et al.
mediational adjective

Examples of mediation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to the terms of the settlement, which was outlined in a mediation settlement agreement dated June 3, Little Rock is to pay $250,000, of which the Arkansas Municipal League will pay 90%. Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025 Malaysia attempted to reinvigorate regional mediation by appointing seasoned diplomat Othman Hashim as ASEAN’s special envoy. Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 When the Angolan mediation failed, Doha stepped in, brokering a face-to-face meeting between Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for the first time since February 2024. Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025 The two sides have been in mediation talks to try and resolve the suit, with Paramount reportedly to have offered $15 million to resolve the suit. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for mediation

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mediation was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mediation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mediation. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

mediation

noun
me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmēd-ē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce mediation (audio)
: the act or process of mediating something (as a physical process)
mediational adjective

Legal Definition

mediation

noun
me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce mediation (audio)
: nonbinding intervention between parties to promote resolution of a grievance, reconciliation, settlement, or compromise compare arbitration
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