middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌman How to pronounce middleman (audio)
: an intermediary or agent between two parties
especially : a dealer, agent, or company intermediate between the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer

Examples of middleman in a Sentence

The Internet helps consumers save money by buying products directly from companies and eliminating the middleman. We've cut out the middleman and can reduce prices for our customers. He acted as the middleman in the talks between labor and management.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The other side: Critics say PBMs serve as an unnecessary middleman, driving up prescription costs for patients. Nathan Bomey, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 The company is a middleman in the tech ecosystem, connecting IT hardware, software, and services vendors with resellers, system integrators, and end customers. Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025 Once Trump takes office with a mandate to restore power to the states, the department’s defenders need to answer a simple question: What value do the American people get from inserting a federal middleman between students and taxpayers? Erika Donalds, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024 Oman also plays an important role in the Middle East, often serving as a middleman between the United States and Iran. Karen Yourish, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for middleman 

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of middleman was in 1677

Dictionary Entries Near middleman

Cite this Entry

“Middleman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middleman. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

middleman

noun
mid·​dle·​man ˈmid-ᵊl-ˌman How to pronounce middleman (audio)
: go-between
especially : a dealer between the producer of goods and the consumer

More from Merriam-Webster on middleman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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