Entry Word: mean

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a middle point between extremes <that candidate's moderate views were seen as the mean that voters were looking for>

Synonyms golden mean, medium, middle, midpoint

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

Near Antonyms maximum, minimum

2 means pluralan action planned or taken to achieve a desired result <won by fair and honest means> — see measure 1
3 means pluralsomething used to achieve an end <the ends don't justify the means> — see agent 1
4 means pluralthe total of one's money and property <a woman of considerable means> — see wealth 1