ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mediation

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˌmidiˈeɪʃən// UK //mˌiːdɪˈeɪʃən// me·di·a·tion

n. a process where a neutral person helps two people or groups in an argument reach an agreement. It is a way to solve problems without going to court.

n. an intervention between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise. Often used in legal or corporate contexts as an alternative to litigation.


SIMPLE

The two companies reached an agreement through mediation.

CONTEXTUAL

After months of arguing over the contract, both sides agreed to try mediation to avoid a costly trial.

COMPLEX

Successful mediation requires a neutral third party who can facilitate dialogue without imposing a specific solution on the participants.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English mediacion, mediacioun, medyacion, medyacyoun from Middle French mediacion and its etymon Late Latin mediātiō, from mediārī (“intervene”), from Latin medius (“middle”). By surface analysis, mediate + -ion.

Usage

Often follows the verbs 'seek', 'undergo', or 'enter into'.

Pitfall

The mediation between the two parts was successful.The mediation between the two parties was successful.In legal and formal mediation contexts, the groups involved are referred to as 'parties', not 'parts'.

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