An intermediary is someone who helps two or more people or groups communicate, negotiate, or do business with each other. Think of an intermediary as a bridge between parties who might not connect easily on their own.

When your parents are arguing about where to go for vacation and you suggest a compromise that makes both happy, you're acting as an intermediary. In business, a real estate agent serves as an intermediary between home buyers and sellers, helping them reach an agreement on price and terms. Banks act as intermediaries between people who have money to save and people who need to borrow money.

The word comes from the idea of being in the middle: an intermediary stands between two sides, helping them understand each other or complete a transaction. A translator is an intermediary between people who speak different languages. A diplomat might serve as an intermediary between two countries trying to resolve a conflict.

Intermediaries are valuable because they often have knowledge, skills, or connections that both sides need. They can explain things clearly, smooth over misunderstandings, and keep negotiations moving forward. Without intermediaries, many deals and agreements would never happen because the two sides wouldn't know how to reach each other or work through their differences.