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
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In Northern Ireland, Blair once understood the importance of neutral mediation and the buy-in of all parties to the conflict and the people themselves. Dana El Kurd, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025 The mediations address the unique pressures families face, while offering strategies and gentle guidance that encourage parents to thrive. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 As scholars have suggested, positive, prosocial uses of generative AI on social media could include mediation, information assistance, counterspeech, and moderation of discourse among users. John Wihbey, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025 In contrast, mediation was seen as playing an instrumental role in ending the 2012-13 NHL lockout. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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