middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmi-dᵊl-ˌman 

: an intermediary or agent between two parties

especially : a dealer, agent, or company intermediate between the producer of goods and the retailer or consumer

Synonyms

• broker
• buffer
• conciliator
• go-between
• honest broker
• interceder
• intercessor
• intermediary
• intermediate
• interposer
• mediator
• peacemaker

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

middleman

noun

mid·​dle·​man ˈmid-ᵊl-ˌman 

: go-between

especially : a dealer between the producer of goods and the consumer