/mee'dee ay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. action in mediating between parties, as to effect an agreement or reconciliation.
2. Internat. Law. an attempt to effect a peaceful settlement between disputing nations through the friendly good offices of another power.
[ 1350-1400; ME mediation- (s. of mediatio ). See MEDIATE, -ION ]
Syn. 1. MEDIATION, ARBITRATION designate processes for bringing about agreement or reconciliation between opponents in a dispute. MEDIATION implies deliberation that results in solutions that may or may not be accepted by the contending parties. ARBITRATION involves a more formal deliberation, it being understood that the results will be binding on the contending parties.