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

The mediation agreement, which builds on but contains key changes from a prior arrangement hashed out last November between Fairview and M Physicians alone, is expected to be finalized by a vote of the U’s Board of Regents on Friday. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026

Ganassi enforced the option year on Palou’s contract and through mediation, Palou returned for 2023 while serving as a reserve and test driver for McLaren’s F1 team in 2023. —Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Millions went to various existing programs — such as eviction and mortgage foreclosure mediation — which saw a jump in need during the pandemic. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

The mediation was scheduled after the two sides officially reached impasse, a legal stage of negotiations that means both sides are no longer able to make progress toward a deal. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mediation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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