mediate
Mediate (verb) means to help two opposing sides reach an agreement by acting as a neutral go-between. Example: “A retired judge was brought in to mediate the dispute between the two companies.”
How to use mediate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo step in between two disagreeing parties and help them settle things.
Easy to mix up with "meditate" (to reflect quietly) — mediate is about resolving a dispute between people.
Word forms
mediated past tense, mediates singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A retired judge was brought in to _____ the dispute between the two companies.
Etymology
From Late Latin mediātus, past participle of mediāre ("to be in the middle"), from medius ("middle").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mediate
See all rhymes for mediate →Frequently asked questions
What does “mediate” mean?
The word “mediate” means to help two opposing sides reach an agreement by acting as a neutral go-between. In plain terms, to step in between two disagreeing parties and help them settle things.
How do you pronounce “mediate”?
“Mediate” is pronounced MEE-dee-ayt (/ˈmidieɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “mediate” in a sentence?
Here is “mediate” used in a sentence: “A retired judge was brought in to mediate the dispute between the two companies.”
What part of speech is “mediate”?
Depending on how it is used, “mediate” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “mediate” come from?
The word “mediate” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin mediātus, past participle of mediāre ("to be in the middle"), from medius ("middle").
Is “mediate” a common word?
“Mediate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “mediate” have?
“Mediate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to help two opposing sides reach an agreement by acting as a neutral go-between.