Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Mediation has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
a negotiation to resolve differences that is conducted by some impartial party
"The community hired a neutral mediator to facilitate negotiations between the two neighbors over their property boundary dispute."
the act of intervening for the purpose of bringing about a settlement
"The company turned to an external mediator to facilitate negotiations and reach a settlement regarding the labor dispute."
Negotiation to resolve differences conducted by an impartial party.
"The company invited a neutral mediator to facilitate negotiations between the employees and management regarding their labor dispute."
In plain English: Mediation is when a neutral third party helps two people with a disagreement find their own solution without forcing a decision on them.
"The community hired a mediator to help resolve the conflict between the two neighbors through mediation."
Usage: Mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating discussions between disputing sides, but the mediator does not impose a binding decision like in arbitration or litigation. Use this term when referring to voluntary conflict resolution where parties retain control over the final outcome rather than seeking legal judgment.
The word mediation comes from the Old French term for "intervention," which itself derives from a Latin root meaning "to be in the middle." While its structure suggests it is simply an action noun formed by adding "-tion" to "mediate," this formation only became apparent after the word had already entered English.