intermediary

1 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ary ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ˌer-ē 

plural intermediaries

1

a

: mediator, go-between

b

: medium, means

2

: an intermediate form, product, or stage

intermediary

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intermediate

2

: acting as a mediator

an intermediary agent

an intermediary particle

Did you know?

Since inter- means "between, among", an intermediary is someone who moves back and forth in the middle area between two sides—a "go-between". Mediator (which shares the medi- root) is often a synonym, and so is facilitator; broker and agent are often others. Thus, a real-estate broker or agent shuttles between a house's buyer and seller, who may never even meet each other. Financial intermediation is what happens when you put money in a bank or investment firm, which then invests it in various companies; if you want, you can instead cut out the intermediary and invest the money directly in companies of your own choosing.

Synonyms

Noun

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

Adjective

• central
• halfway
• intermediate
• medial
• median
• mediate
• medium
• mid
• middle
• midmost

Examples of intermediary in a Sentence

Noun

He served as an intermediary between the workers and the executives.

in the past he's served as an intermediary in several hostage situations

Adjective

the bridal couple were regally ensconced in intermediary seats at the head table

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Regulating pharmacy benefits managers A measure designed to rein in the practices of pharmacy benefits managers, or PBMs — companies that act as intermediaries between drugmakers, insurance corporations and pharmacies — was approved with broad bipartisan support and is backed by Pritzker. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025

In 2023, county officials scuttled negotiations by refusing to continue serving as an intermediary between the company and ICE after loud opposition from residents. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

Adjective

These intermediary races feature plenty of their own tricky designs to bridge one track to the next. —PC Magazine, 9 June 2025

Popoola emphasizes that while Africa has the resources, workforce, and untapped potential the global economy needs, underdeveloped intermediary systems and fragmented regulations remain barriers to entry. —Tim Clark, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

intermediary

adjective

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ary

ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ˌer-ē

1

: intermediate

an intermediary stage

2

: acting as a mediator

intermediary agent

intermediary noun

Medical Definition

intermediary

noun

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ary ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ˌer-ē 

plural intermediaries

1

: mediator

2

: an intermediate form, product, or stage

intermediary adjective

Legal Definition

intermediary

noun

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ary

ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ˌer-ē

plural intermediaries

: one that acts as a means or go-between in a matter involving other parties

a reinsurance intermediary

see also learned intermediary

intermediary adjective