mediation
mee-dee-AY-shun
/ˌmiːdiˈeɪʃən/
Intervention in a dispute in order to resolve it; an intermediate action or agency.
Unlike arbitration, mediation is usually non-binding and focuses on the parties reaching their own agreement with the help of a neutral third party.
The story behind the word. The root 'medius' gives us 'middle.' A mediator is literally the person in the middle, standing between two opposing sides to help them find a central point of agreement.
Word relationships
- arbitration: Arbitration involves a third party making a final, binding decision; mediation helps the parties decide for themselves.
- intervention: Intervention is a broader term for any interference in a situation to change its course.
- litigation: Litigation is the process of taking legal action through the court system, which is adversarial.
Commonly confused with
- meditation: Meditation is a mental exercise for relaxation; mediation is a conflict resolution process.
Word family
- mediate (verb): To act as a go-between in a dispute.
- mediator (noun): A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement.
Collocations
- formal mediation
- mediation services
- dispute mediation
Example sentences
- "The union and the management finally agreed to go to mediation to settle the contract dispute." Labor Dispute
- "Mediation offers a less adversarial environment than a courtroom for resolving family law issues." Legal Process
Memory hook
A mediator stands in the 'media' (middle) of the 'action'. The man in the middle.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'meditation' (the practice of mindfulness).
Fun facts
- The word 'medium' (as in a psychic or a size) also comes from this root, referring to something that exists between two states.
Related words
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