intermediary

American  

[in-ter-mee-dee-er-ee] / ˌɪn tərˈmi diˌɛr i /

noun

plural

intermediaries

1. an intermediate agent or agency; a go-between or mediator.

   Synonyms:

   umpire, arbitrator

2. a medium or means.

3. an intermediate form or stage.

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adjective

1. being between; intermediate.

2. acting between persons, parties, etc.; serving as an intermediate agent or agency.

   an intermediary power.

intermediary British  

/ ˌɪntəˈmiːdɪərɪ /

noun

1. a person who acts as a mediator or agent between parties

2. something that acts as a medium or means

3. an intermediate state or period

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adjective

1. acting as an intermediary

2. situated, acting, or coming between; intermediate

Etymology

Origin of intermediary

1785–95; < Late Latin intermedi ( um ) intervening place + -ary; intermediate ¹

Example Sentences

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, whose country is acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, was to travel to Beijing for talks Tuesday on "global issues of mutual interest" with counterpart Wang Yi.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Lil Pasta News told the BBC that the articles in question were not written by its team but received through an intermediary.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Because Synapse — the intermediary connecting fintech apps and banks — was the entity that collapsed, the insurance was not triggered.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

The Vatican — which helped broker talks that led to a U.S.-Cuba thaw during the Obama administration — has been playing a similar intermediary role with Trump and Havana.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

He or she should be in another room entirely, answering questions by e-mail or through the use of an intermediary.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• broker
• emissary
• go-between
• mediator
• negotiator