mediation
noun
me·di·a·tion
ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən 
: the act or process of mediating: such as
a
: intervention between conflicting parties to promote reconciliation, settlement, or compromise
The town feud raged until April … when, with the mediation of William N. Byers the dispute was settled and the name of Denver selected for the settlement.—
Thomas A. Martin
Thomas A. Martin
specifically
: a means of resolving disputes outside of the judicial system by voluntary participation in negotiations structured by agreement of the parties and usually conducted under the guidance and supervision of a trained intermediary
More couples are considering mediation—or using a mediator to help them reach a compromise—rather than hiring two lawyers who fight it out for their clients. —Mary Rowland
Mary Rowland
b
: indirect conveyance or communication through an intermediary
Islam recognizes no ordination, no sacraments, no priestly mediation between the believer and God.—Bernard Lewis
Bernard LewisLike any of the other emporiums of the western ocean, Mogadishu had plenty of employment for the commercial brokers … who provided the crucial mediation between the arriving sea merchants and the local wholesalers.—Ross E. Dunn
Ross E. Dunn
c
: transmission by an intermediate mechanism or agency
The critical role of the hippocampus in the mediation of normal memory processes has been highlighted by the observation that in human patients bilateral damage to the medial temporal lobe, including the hippocampus, produces an extensive and durable amnesia for new information.—Raymond P. Kesner et al.
Raymond P. Kesner et al.Examples of mediation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Qatar also directs agents to provide lawmakers with informational briefs on the Gulf nation’s strategic value to the United States, with agents recently highlighting its mediation role in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025
Two weeks before the mediation conference, the parties in the case must list the remaining materials subpoenaed that the Secretary of State's office hasn't delivered with a description of each.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
Shen noted that the two sides are entering the mediation phase, which was triggered by a lack of consensus that was reached by the May 1 deadline, and that seven meetings, including a site visit, have been held since talks began.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
Effective passive mediation works by letting your mind empty of cluttering worries, like turning off a nosy kitchen fan or muting blaring music emanating from your teen’s bedroom.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mediation
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Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025
Two weeks before the mediation conference, the parties in the case must list the remaining materials subpoenaed that the Secretary of State's office hasn't delivered with a description of each.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 25 July 2025
Shen noted that the two sides are entering the mediation phase, which was triggered by a lack of consensus that was reached by the May 1 deadline, and that seven meetings, including a site visit, have been held since talks began.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
Effective passive mediation works by letting your mind empty of cluttering worries, like turning off a nosy kitchen fan or muting blaring music emanating from your teen’s bedroom.
—Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for mediation
Cite this Entry
“Mediation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mediation. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mediation
noun
me·di·a·tion
ˌmēd-ē-ˈā-shən
: the act or process of mediating something (as a physical process)
Legal Definition
mediation
noun
me·di·a·tion
ˌmē-dē-ˈā-shən
: nonbinding intervention between parties to promote resolution of a grievance, reconciliation, settlement, or compromise compare arbitration
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