Word
mediate
Phoneticsme·di·ate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmidiˌeɪt/
UK/mˈiːdɪˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to help two people or groups reach an agreement when they are having a disagreement. You act as a middle person to find a solution that works for everyone.
v. to intervene between parties in a dispute in order to produce an agreement or reconciliation. Often describes the process of facilitating communication to resolve a conflict without formal legal action.
Examples
“A professional was hired to mediate the contract dispute.”
“The human resources manager had to mediate between the two employees to resolve their long-standing office conflict.”
“International diplomats were called in to mediate the peace talks, aiming to establish a ceasefire that both nations could accept without losing political face.”
Examples
simple
“A professional was hired to mediate the contract dispute.”
contextual
“The human resources manager had to mediate between the two employees to resolve their long-standing office conflict.”
complex
“International diplomats were called in to mediate the peace talks, aiming to establish a ceasefire that both nations could accept without losing political face.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mediate” in context.
Verb
01. mediate by
“The communication between the two departments is often mediated by a project manager.”
verb + prep
Usage
The verb is often used with 'between' when referring to the parties involved, or as a transitive verb with the dispute as the object.
Pitfall
He mediated for the two sides.
He mediated between the two sides.
When describing the parties in a conflict, 'mediate' typically takes the preposition 'between' rather than 'for'.
Real-World Examples
“Sources in Mali have told Al Jazeera that Algeria has been helping to mediate over the release of its soldiers.” “Kushner was one of a trio of envoys meeting with al-Hayya, with officials from mediating countries Egypt, Qatar and Turkey also there.” Etymology
The adjective is first attested in the 1440s in Middle English, the verb in 1538; from Middle English mediat(e) (“intermediate; intercessory”), borrowed from Late Latin mediātus, perfect passive participle of mediō (“to divide in the middle; (in Medieval Latin) to be in the middle, be or become between, mediate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from medius (“middle”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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