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 of intermediary

Noun

• mediator
• negotiator
• broker
• middleman
• intermediate
• liaison
• ambassador
• intercessor
• buffer
• agent
• negotiant

Adjective

• halfway
• intermediate
• middle
• medial
• mediate
• central
• median

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

The Lebanese government is actively engaging with intermediaries, including the French and the American ambassador, to try and put pressure on the Israeli government to stop the bombardments, according to Lebanese officials. —ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

According to those accounts, the siblings oversaw networks of companies and intermediaries that handled billions of dollars outside Venezuela. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Whatever the cause, intermediary bites and sips make up a growing portion of Americans’ daily consumption, especially among young people, as my colleague Ellen Cushing wrote in 2024. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

Ports in this region, such as Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan, are specialized transshipment hubs that serve as intermediary points in global networks. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026

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