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Intermediary Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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intermediary

[ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ə.ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

A person who acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement or reconciliation; a mediator.

Synonyms

facilitator, go-between, mediator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intermediary

Used in formal situations to describe someone who acts as a middle person in processes like business transactions, negotiations, or any scenario involving multiple parties.

  • The company hired an intermediary to help negotiate the merger.
  • He acted as an intermediary between the disputing parties.
mediator

Specifically used in situations where a neutral third party is required to resolve a dispute or conflict between two or more parties. Often used in legal, business, or organizational disputes.

  • The couple hired a mediator to help with their divorce settlement.
  • The mediator worked to find a fair resolution for both sides.
go-between

Informal and can sometimes have a negative connotation, used to describe a person who communicates between two parties, often in secret or when parties don't want direct interaction.

  • She acted as a go-between for the two companies.
  • He was the go-between in their secret negotiations.
facilitator

Often used in educational or organizational settings to refer to someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them in planning to achieve these objectives without taking a particular position in the discussion.

  • The workshop was successful largely due to the skilled facilitator.
  • She served as a facilitator during the team-building activities.

Examples of usage

  • The intermediary negotiated a deal between the two companies.
  • As an intermediary, she helped resolve the conflict between the parties.
Context #2 | Noun

technology

A device or program that acts as a link between different systems or networks.

Synonyms

connector, interface, link.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intermediary

An intermediary is used when speaking about a person or entity that acts as a mediator or go-between in negotiations or communications between parties.

  • The lawyer acted as an intermediary between the two disputing companies.
  • They hired an intermediary to handle the delicate negotiations.
interface

Interface is primarily used in technical or computing contexts to describe a point of interaction between systems, software, or devices.

  • The new software includes a user-friendly interface.
  • The interface between the two programs allows them to communicate effectively.
connector

Connector is used to describe a device or element that physically joins or links components in a system, often in electronic or mechanical contexts.

  • The engineer used a new type of connector to link the two circuits.
  • This social event can act as a connector for people from different industries.
link

Link is often used in general contexts to denote a connection or relationship between objects, ideas, or people. It can also refer to hyperlinks in digital contexts.

  • She could see a clear link between the two events.
  • Click on the link to access the document.

Examples of usage

  • The router acts as an intermediary between the computer and the internet.
  • The API serves as an intermediary for communication between different software applications.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Business

  • In business, intermediaries can be sales agents or brokers who facilitate deals between buyers and sellers.
  • They play a crucial role in supply chains, ensuring products move from producers to consumers efficiently.
  • The rise of online platforms has created new types of intermediaries that connect services and clients directly.

Communication

  • Intermediaries are essential in negotiation processes, helping conflicting parties reach agreements.
  • They often manage misunderstandings by clarifying messages between involved parties.
  • In language, an intermediary might refer to a translator who helps communicate across different languages.

Technology

  • In computing, intermediaries can be servers that relay data between users, improving communication in networks.
  • APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) serve as intermediaries, allowing different software systems to interact smoothly.
  • Intermediary devices, like routers, help direct internet traffic efficiently, making online browsing possible.

Social Sciences

  • Social intermediaries can be community leaders or organizations that help marginalized groups connect with resources.
  • They play a role in social capital, linking people and fostering networks for collaboration.
  • Understanding the dynamics of power and influence, intermediaries can facilitate community dialogues and partnerships.

Origin of 'intermediary'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'intermediarius,' meaning 'in the middle.'
  • It combines 'inter-' meaning 'between' and 'mediare,' which means 'to be in the middle.'
  • The term has been used in English since the late Middle Ages, evolving through legal and diplomatic contexts.

The word 'intermediary' originated from the Latin word 'intermediarius', which means 'being in the middle'. It first appeared in English in the early 17th century. Throughout history, intermediaries have played crucial roles in facilitating communication, trade, and negotiations between parties. Whether in business or technology, intermediaries continue to bridge gaps and connect different entities for mutual benefit.

See also: intermediator.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,775, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.