# mediate

/ˈmidiˌeɪt/ (US) · /mˈiːdɪˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mediate
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He mediated for the two sides." but "He mediated between the two sides." — When describing the parties in a conflict, 'mediate' typically takes the preposition 'between' rather than 'for'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is often used with 'between' when referring to the parties involved, or as a transitive verb with the dispute as the object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.