mediation
UK: ˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən | US: ˌmiː.diˈeɪ.ʃən
n. the act of intervening to resolve a dispute between parties
n. the process of facilitating negotiation or communication
n. (law) a formal method of alternative dispute resolution
The word "mediation" stems from the Latin mediatus (past participle of mediare, "to be in the middle"), derived from medius ("middle"). The core idea is neutral intervention—literally "acting as a middle party." The suffix -ion transforms the verb into a noun, denoting the process or result. Historically, it reflects the role of intermediaries in conflict resolution, evolving from physical centrality (e.g., a mediator standing between two opponents) to abstract negotiation.
The labor dispute was resolved through mediation.
She specializes in family mediation to help couples avoid court.
The UN offered mediation to de-escalate the diplomatic crisis.
Successful mediation requires impartiality and active listening.
Online mediation platforms have grown in popularity recently.