medial

adjective

me·​di·​al ˈmē-dē-əl 

1

: mean, average

2

a

: being or occurring in the middle

b

: extending toward the middle

especially : lying or extending toward the median axis of the body

3

: situated between the extremes of initial and final in a word or morpheme

medial noun

medially

ˈmē-dē-ə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• middle
• halfway
• median
• intermediate
• central
• intermediary
• mid

Examples of medial in a Sentence

four is the medial number between one and seven

Recent Examples on the Web

Anchoring the disparate variants of the LeBron 23 while serving as a containment system is a large panel shaped like James’ crown logo taking up the majority of the medial upper. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025

In fact, there’s a name for this: shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome in medical-speak. —Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025

Recent research published in The Lancet Rheumatology evaluated 68 participants with medial compartment osteoarthritis (which affects the inside part of your knee). —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025

Overlays and reinforcements on the medial side of the shoe are designed to stand up to sliding. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin medialis, from Latin medius

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing medial

• medial collateral ligament

Rhymes for medial

• dorsomedial
• ventromedial
• postmedial
• remedial

Kids Definition

medial

adjective

me·​di·​al ˈmēd-ē-əl 

1

: median entry 2 sense 1

2

: ordinary entry 2 sense 2, average

medially

-ə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

medial

adjective

me·​di·​al ˈmēd-ē-əl 

1

: lying or extending in the middle

especially, of a body part : lying or extending toward the median axis of the body

the medial surface of the tibia

2

: of or relating to the media of a blood vessel

necrosis and lipid deposition with medial involvement

medially

-ə-lē 

adverb