medium

1 of 2

noun

me·​di·​um ˈmē-dē-əm How to pronounce medium (audio)
plural mediums or media ˈmē-dē-ə How to pronounce medium (audio)
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 formErnest 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 publisherRichard 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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Philip Martin, arkansasonline.com, 1 Nov. 2024 During the meeting with Nordic media representatives, Zelensky also spoke about the upcoming U.S. presidential election and how its results may impact American and Ukrainian relations, particularly regarding support for the war. Michael D. Carroll and Maya Mehrara, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Over medium heat, caramelize onions in the marinade until onions are glossy. Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024 Darrell told the analysts in attendance that VF would get back to a 10 percent operating profit margin over the medium term — up from 5 percent last year when net losses tallied $969 million. Evan Clark, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for medium 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin, from neuter of medius middle — more at mid

First Known Use

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of medium was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near medium

Cite this Entry

“Medium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medium. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

medium

1 of 2 noun
me·​di·​um ˈmēd-ē-əm How to pronounce medium (audio)
plural mediums or media ˈmēd- ē-ə How to pronounce medium (audio)
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 How to pronounce medium (audio)
plural mediums or media -ē-ə How to pronounce medium (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on medium

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!