Middlemen: meaning, definitions and examples
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middlemen
[ ˈmɪdlˌmɛn ]
business dealings
Middlemen are individuals or entities that facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers. They serve as intermediaries who help to create a more efficient marketplace by connecting those who have goods to sell with those who want to buy. Often, middlemen can add value by providing expertise, distribution networks, or additional services that enhance the overall transaction. However, they may also increase costs for consumers if their fees are not justified by the value they add.
Synonyms
agent, broker, facilitator, intermediary
Examples of usage
- The distributor acted as a middleman in the negotiation.
- Eliminating middlemen can lower prices for consumers.
- Middlemen often help small producers reach larger markets.
Translations
Translations of the word "middlemen" in other languages:
🇵🇹 intermediários
🇮🇳 मध्यस्थ
🇩🇪 Vermittler
🇮🇩 perantara
🇺🇦 посередники
🇵🇱 pośrednicy
🇯🇵 仲介者
🇫🇷 intermédiaires
🇪🇸 intermediarios
🇹🇷 aracılar
🇰🇷 중개인
🇸🇦 وسطاء
🇨🇿 zprostředkovatelé
🇸🇰 zprostredkovatelia
🇨🇳 中介
🇸🇮 posredniki
🇮🇸 milliliðir
🇰🇿 делдалдар
🇬🇪 შუამავალი
🇦🇿 aracılar
🇲🇽 intermediarios
Etymology
The term 'middleman' originates from Middle English, combining the word 'middle', which signifies the center or intermediate position, with 'man', implying a person. The word 'middle' itself can be traced back to Old English 'middel', meaning 'the center'. The concept of a 'middleman' is believed to have emerged in trade practices, where certain individuals adapted their roles as go-betweens in the buying and selling of goods. Throughout history, the role of middlemen has evolved with the marketplace, particularly during the expansion of trade in the Middle Ages and the rise of merchant classes. In the modern economy, middlemen play critical roles in various industries including retail, finance, and logistics, enabling smoother transactions between consumers and producers.