medium

1 of 2

noun

me·​di·​um ˈmē-dē-əm 

plural mediums or media ˈmē-dē-ə 

1

a

: something in a middle position

These shirts are all mediums.

b

: a middle condition or degree : mean

Look for a happy medium.

2

: a means of effecting or conveying something: such as

a 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

as his literary medium he has chosen a biographical form

—Ernest Newman

(4)

: something (such as a magnetic disk) on which information may be stored

b

media plural : digital audio or video files available for playback or streaming

… the free video broadcasts can be downloaded to portable media players from a number of popular pod[cast] and vodcast Web sites.

—Steve Miller

Apple's current keyboards can use the function keys … for alternate functions such as controlling volume, screen brightness, media playback …

—Dan Frakes

c

: material or technical means of artistic expression (such as paint and canvas, sculptural stone, or literary or musical form)

d

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

e(1)

: a substance regarded as the means of transmission (see transmission sense 1) of a force or effect

air is the medium that conveys sound

(2)

: a surrounding or enveloping substance

(3)

: the tenuous material (such as gas and dust) in space that exists outside large agglomerations (see agglomeration sense 2) of matter (such as stars)

interstellar medium

f

: go-between, intermediary

the medium of introduction was no doubt … the publisher

—Richard Garnett

3

a

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

Ocean fish live in a medium of salt water.

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 (see organic entry 1 sense 1) structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)

c

: a liquid with which pigment is mixed by a painter

Is media singular or plural?: Usage Guide

The singular media and its plural medias seem to have originated in the field of advertising over 70 years ago; they are still so used without stigma in that specialized field. In most other applications media is used as a plural of medium. The popularity of the word in references to the agencies of mass communication is leading to the formation of a mass noun, construed as a singular.

there's no basis for it. You know, the news media gets on to something

—Edwin Meese 3d

the media is less interested in the party's policies

—James Lewis, Guardian Weekly

This use is not as well established as the mass-noun use of data and is likely to incur criticism especially in writing.

medium

2 of 2

adjective

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

Synonyms

Noun

• golden mean
• mean
• middle
• middle ground
• midpoint

Adjective

• average
• intermediate
• mean
• median
• middle
• middling
• midsize
• midsized
• moderate
• modest

Examples of medium in a Sentence

Noun

These shirts are all mediums and I take a large.

Make my French fries a medium.

Her preferred medium is sculpture.

The artist works in two media, pencil and watercolor.

Adjective

These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

a person of medium build

How would you like your steak, sir: rare, medium, or well-done?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Online records also show Azzarello worked for Strong Towns, a nonprofit media advocacy group. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

But Lankford warned that media attention is not the only factor driving copycats. —USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, from neuter of medius middle — more at mid

First Known Use

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1670, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing medium

• happy medium
• mass medium
• medium frequency
• medium of exchange
• medium roast
• medium-sized
• medium-term

Kids Definition

medium

1 of 2 noun

me·​di·​um ˈmēd-ē-əm 

plural mediums or media ˈmēd- ē-ə 

1

a

: something that is between or in the middle

b

: a middle condition or degree

2

: the thing by which or through which something is done

money is a medium of exchange

especially : a substance through which a force acts or by which something is carried

air is the common medium of sound

3

plural usually media : a form or system (as newspapers, radio, or television) of communication, information, or entertainment

4

plural mediums : a person through whom others seek to communicate with the spirits of the dead

5

: a surrounding substance or condition : environment

marine fish live in a medium of salt water

6

plural media

a

: a nourishing system for the artificial cultivation of microorganisms (as bacteria) or cells

b

: a fluid or solid in which plant or animal parts are placed (as for mounting or preserving)

medium

2 of 2 adjective

: intermediate in amount, quality, position, or degree

Medical Definition

medium

noun

me·​di·​um ˈmēd-ē-əm 

plural mediums or media -ē-ə 

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)