Since inter- means "between, among", an intermediary is someone who moves back and forth in the middle area between two sides—a "go-between". Mediator (which shares the medi- root) is often a synonym, and so is facilitator; broker and agent are often others. Thus, a real-estate broker or agent shuttles between a house's buyer and seller, who may never even meet each other. Financial intermediation is what happens when you put money in a bank or investment firm, which then invests it in various companies; if you want, you can instead cut out the intermediary and invest the money directly in companies of your own choosing.
Noun He served as an intermediary between the workers and the executives. in the past he's served as an intermediary in several hostage situations Adjective the bridal couple were regally ensconced in intermediary seats at the head table
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
At Jordan, her design went through Kelsey Amy, a senior color designer who was an intermediary between Ms. Ehsani’s vision and Nike’s manufacturers.New York Times, 10 Sep. 2022 Because these clothes came through an intermediary, there is a remote possibility that this recipient does not realize that the clothes actually originated with you. Amy Dickinson, cleveland, 23 July 2022 This encouragement to ‘nonbank’ entities that are technology providers today for digital currency systems provides the notion of how some in the private sector of digital assets today may serve as an intermediary for the U.S. CBDCs in the future. Jason Brett, Forbes, 25 June 2022 The plaintiffs claim that PAHO acted as financial intermediary for the two parties, using its U.S. bank accounts to convert Brazilian reais to dollars and then move the money to the Cuban regime. Mary Anastasia O’grady, WSJ, 10 Apr. 2022 The implant essentially acts as an intermediary between mind and computer.Wired, 3 Aug. 2022 But the scheme this time was part of an FBI operation, with the intermediary acting under the agency’s direction. Allison Prang, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 Eliminating the intermediary has allowed Flylow to address design and production problems more quickly. Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2021 The Black Death had dramatically lowered the continent’s population, and dealt a blow to most forms of economic activity; the Reformation had weakened the Church’s position as the essential intermediary between the layman and God. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 16 July 2022
Adjective
Internet users can also consider turning to a browser like Tor, a secure and anonymous option that uses multiple intermediary servers to keep any single server from fully tracking activity, according to privacy experts. Jennifer Korn, CNN, 23 July 2022 This means the crypto custody assets moved onto the intermediary’s balance sheet will be carried at the lower of cost or market value (subject to impairment testing), while the liabilities will be carried at cost. Caitlin Long, Forbes, 4 June 2022 That report identified the most likely cause of the pandemic as a viral leap from a host species to humans via an intermediary animal. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2022 Some plant the trees themselves, as Eden does, while others play intermediary roles, collecting and disbursing donations to organizations that plant the trees.New York Times, 13 July 2022 The alternative was the risk of losing intermediary status, taking away Twitter’s third-party position and holding it responsible for every tweet. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 6 July 2022 Cawthorn’s wallet sends 26.3 ETH to the Coinbase exchange via an intermediary wallet. Danny Nelson, Fortune, 1 June 2022 The gondola would move up to 3,400 people an hour, using cars that hold 35 people and cover the distance to Alta in 36 minutes with a single intermediary stop at Snowbird. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 June 2022 The freeholder or long leaseholder allegedly lets to an intermediary company, who in turn lets to the candy stores, usually on licences for minimal rents. Mark Faithfull, Forbes, 15 June 2022 See More