Mediate

ˈmiːdieɪt

verbmedium📊CommonAction
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To intervene in a dispute or negotiation to reach an agreement.

ˈmiːdieɪt

verbneutralmedium
Action

To intervene between people in a dispute to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.

The experienced counselor will mediate the conflict between the siblings.

💡 Simply: Imagine two friends fighting. A mediator is like a helpful grown-up who listens to both sides and helps them work things out and agree on something fair. It's like being a peacemaker!

👶 For kids: To help two people who are arguing to talk and agree.

More Examples

2

The United Nations attempted to mediate a ceasefire between the rebels and the government forces.

3

The company chose an impartial professional to mediate the contract dispute.

How It's Used

Legal

"The lawyer suggested they mediate the dispute to avoid a costly court case."

Diplomacy

"The ambassador was asked to mediate between the two warring countries."

Business

"A neutral third party was brought in to mediate the labor negotiations."

2

To act as an intermediary in conveying or transmitting something, or bring about an effect.

ˈmiːdieɪt

verbneutralAdvanced
Action

To bring about (a result) or be a channel for (something).

Certain chemicals can mediate the inflammation response in the body.

💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny helper inside a computer program. It's job is to talk to the program and the server and to help the program get info. It's helping them communicate with each other.

👶 For kids: To make something happen or to help something pass through.

More Examples

2

The new API will mediate communication between the app and the database.

3

The nervous system mediates the body's reaction to pain.

How It's Used

Science

"The proteins mediate the biological response to the virus."

Technology

"The software is designed to mediate between the user and the server."

Tip:Think of a chemical *mediating* a reaction - it's the agent that makes it happen.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Latin *mediare* 'to be in the middle, intervene,' from *medius* 'middle'.

The word 'mediate' has been used in legal and diplomatic contexts since the 16th century.

Memory tip

Think of a mediator sitting in the *middle* of two opposing sides, helping them find common ground.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"middle"

mediate a disputemediate betweenmediate an agreementmediate a conflictmediate the process

Common misspellings

meditatemeddiate

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written