middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌman 

: an intermediary or agent between two parties

especially : a dealer, agent, or company intermediate between the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer

Synonyms

• broker
• buffer
• conciliator
• go-between
• honest broker
• interceder
• intercessor
• intermediary
• intermediate
• interposer
• mediator
• peacemaker

Examples of middleman in a Sentence

The Internet helps consumers save money by buying products directly from companies and eliminating the middleman.

We've cut out the middleman and can reduce prices for our customers.

He acted as the middleman in the talks between labor and management.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pharmacy squeeze At a time when the federal government is suing the primary drug market’s middlemen, the pharmacy benefit managers — with the Federal Trade Commission alleging inflated prices on drugs like insulin — some are pointing the finger at the PBMs for the pharmacy deserts. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2024

Catch up fast: The FTC in September sued the country's three largest prescription drug middlemen, accusing them of illegally inflating the price of insulin and driving up costs for diabetes patients. —Pete Gannon, Axios, 9 Oct. 2024

Like Airbnb, Turo acts as a middleman, matching persons who want to rent something - in this case, a car - with the people (hosts) who own them. —Jim Clash, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

That segment was one of three drug middlemen recently sued by the Federal Trade Commission, which has accused the companies of illegally driving up the price of insulin. —Greg McKenna, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmid-ᵊl-ˌman 

: go-between

especially : a dealer between the producer of goods and the consumer