Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of intervening for the purpose of bringing about a settlement: The process of acting as an intermediary or mediator between two or more parties to help them reach an agreement, resolve a dispute, or facilitate a transaction.

Usage

• Intermediation is used to describe the formal or professional role of a neutral third party who assists in negotiations or communications.
• It is commonly used in contexts such as business, finance, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
• It is an uncountable noun.

Examples

• The successful intermediation by the United Nations led to a ceasefire between the warring nations.
• In banking, financial intermediation involves institutions like banks channeling funds from savers to borrowers.
• The labor dispute was resolved through the intermediation of a federal arbitrator.

Advanced Usage

• Disintermediation: The removal of intermediaries in a supply chain or transaction process, often due to new technology (e.g., consumers buying directly from manufacturers online).
• Reintermediation: The reintroduction of an intermediary into a process or model, often in a new or revised role.

Variants and Related Words

• Intermediary (n): A person or organization that acts as a link between people or groups to try to bring about an agreement.
• Intermediate (adj): Coming between two things in time, place, order, or character.
• Mediation (n): Intervention in a dispute to resolve it; often used synonymously with , though can imply a more specific, structured process.

Synonyms

• Mediation: Intervention to reconcile differences.
• Arbitration: The use of an arbitrator to settle a dispute.
• Brokerage: The business of acting as a broker (an agent who buys or sells for clients).

Related Phrases

• To act as an intermediary: To serve as a go-between.
• To provide intermediation services: To offer professional mediation or brokerage services.

Idioms

• To be the middleman: To act as an intermediary, often in a business transaction. (Note: This is a related concept but not a direct idiom using the word "intermediation").

Noun

1. the act of intervening for the purpose of bringing about a settlement