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

• intermediary
• mediator
• broker
• negotiator
• liaison
• ambassador
• buffer

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

Harris portrays a free-spirited yet quick-calculating middleman with playful wit. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025

The company also struggled to keep up with changes in retail and healthcare, including the rise of ecommerce and the growing power of drug middlemen known as pharmacy-benefit managers. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

After Greenberg opted out of the arrangement, Bowyer needed someone else to act as middleman for the transfers. —David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025

For more context, the company acts as a middleman between manufacturers with excess inventory and retailers who want it. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for middleman

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• journeyman
• marianne
• minivan
• minuteman

Kids Definition

middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmid-ᵊl-ˌman 

: go-between

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