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 arrest comes a year after a class-action lawsuit accused Jeffries of using a middleman (Jacobson) to lure men to events on the prospect of Abercrombie modeling jobs. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024

These chains announced store closures this year News of the impending closures come as Walgreens and other drugstore chains struggle to keep up with competition from Amazon, as well as declining drug reimbursement rates from middlemen for filling prescriptions. —Eric Lagatta, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2024

Nationally, drugstore chains have struggled to keep up with competition from Amazon, as well as declining drug reimbursement rates from middlemen for filling prescriptions. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 16 Oct. 2024

Drug store chains struggle with declining sales News of the impending closures come as Walgreens and other drugstore chains struggle to keep up with competition from Amazon, as well as declining drug reimbursement rates from middlemen for filling prescriptions. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024

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