medium

¹me·di·um

noun \ˈmē-dē-əm\

plural mediums or me·dia \-dē-ə\

Definition of MEDIUM

1

a : something in a middle position

b : a middle condition or degree : mean

2

: a means of effecting or conveying something: as

a (1) : a substance regarded as the means of transmission of a force or effect (2) : a surrounding or enveloping substance (3) : the tenuous material (as gas and dust) in space that exists outside large agglomerations of matter (as stars) <interstellar medium>

b plural usually media (1) : a channel or system of communication, information, or entertainment — compare mass medium (2) : a publication or broadcast that carries advertising (3) : a mode of artistic expression or communication (4) : something (as a magnetic disk) on which information may be stored

c : go-between, intermediary

d plural mediums : an individual held to be a channel of communication between the earthly world and a world of spirits

e : material or technical means of artistic expression

3

a : a condition or environment in which something may function or flourish

b plural media (1) : a nutrient system for the artificial cultivation of cells or organisms and especially bacteria (2) : a fluid or solid in which organic structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)

c : a liquid with which pigment is mixed by a painter

See Usage Discussion at media

Examples of MEDIUM

1. These shirts are all mediums and I take a large.
2. Make my French fries a medium.
3. Her preferred medium is sculpture.
4. The artist works in two media , pencil and watercolor.

Origin of MEDIUM

Latin, from neuter of medius middle — more at mid

First Known Use: 1589

Related to MEDIUM

Synonyms

golden mean, mean, middle, middle ground, midpoint

Related Words

arithmetic mean, average; median, norm, par, standard

Near Antonyms

maximum, utmost; minimum

Other Paints and Dyes Terms

bloom, craze, size, vehicle

Rhymes with MEDIUM

tedium

²medium

adjective

Definition of MEDIUM

: intermediate in quantity, quality, position, size, or degree

Examples of MEDIUM

1. These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
2. a person of medium build
3. How would you like your steak, sir: rare, medium, or well-done?

First Known Use of MEDIUM

1711

Related to MEDIUM

Synonyms

average, intermediate, mean, median, middle, middling, midsize (also midsized), moderate, modest

Antonyms

extreme, farthest, farthermost, furthermost, furthest, outermost, outmost, remotest, utmost

Related Words

reasonable; common, commonplace, conventional, normal, popular, regular, routine, standard, typical, usual; adequate, passable, tolerable

Near Antonyms

excessive, extreme; exceptional, rare, strange, uncommon, unusual; distinctive, idiosyncratic, special, unique; individual, peculiar, private

me·di·um

noun \ˈmēd-ē-əm\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; mediumsor ; me·dia \-ē-ə\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of MEDIUM

1

: a means of effecting or conveying something: as a : a substance regarded as the means of transmission of a force or effect b : a surrounding or enveloping substance

2

plural media a : a nutrient system for the artificial cultivation of cells or organisms and especially bacteria b : a fluid or solid in which organic structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)