mediation

noun

me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən 

: 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

ˌmē-dē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of mediation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As part of mediation, the victims were also given the opportunity to confront Rosing about what happened, Baird said, adding that the victims were ultimately in support of Rosing taking a plea. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2024

Williams’ case went into mediation and settled in 2020. —Chloe Sorvino, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

The couple finalized their uncontested divorce on Oct. 11 after agreeing on the terms in mediation outside of court, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024

World & Nation Qatar’s mediation efforts in Israel-Hamas war come under fire April 30, 2024 The vote also came about a year ahead of Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, an event that drew intense scrutiny from the West on both Doha’s treatment of foreign laborers and its system of governance. —Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mediation

noun

me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmēd-ē-ˈā-shən 

: the act or process of mediating something (as a physical process)

mediational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective

Legal Definition

mediation

noun

me·​di·​a·​tion ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən 

: nonbinding intervention between parties to promote resolution of a grievance, reconciliation, settlement, or compromise compare arbitration