medium

[ mee-dee-uhm ]

noun

, plural me·di·a [mee, -dee-, uh] me·di·ums

1. a middle state or condition; mean.
2. something intermediate in nature or degree.
3. an intervening substance, as air, through which a force acts or an effect is produced.
4. the element that is the natural habitat of an organism.
5. surrounding objects, conditions, or influences; environment.
6. an intervening agency, means, or instrument by which something is conveyed or accomplished:

   Words are a medium of expression.

7. one of the means or channels of general communication, information, or entertainment in society, as newspapers, radio, or television.
8. Biology. the substance in which specimens are displayed or preserved.
9. Also called culture medium. Bacteriology. a liquid or solidified nutrient material suitable for the cultivation of microorganisms.
10. a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living.
11. Fine Arts.
    1. Painting. a liquid with which pigments are mixed.
    2. the material or technique with which an artist works:

       the medium of watercolor.

12. a size of printing paper, 18½ × 23½ inches (47 × 60 centimeters) in England, 18 × 23 to 19 × 25 inches (46 × 58 to 48 × 64 centimeters) in America.
13. Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 17½ × 22 inches (44 × 56 centimeters).
14. Also called medium strip. Midland U.S. median strip.
15. in medium, Movies, Television. with the principal actors in the middle distance:

    The scene was shot in medium.

adjective

1. about halfway between extremes, as of degree, amount, quality, position, or size:

   Cook over medium heat. He is of medium height.

   Synonyms: middling, mean, average

medium

/ ˈmiːdɪəm /

adjective

1. midway between extremes; average

   a medium size

2. (of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a moderate amount of light Compare light 1 dark

   a medium red

noun

1. an intermediate or middle state, degree, or condition; mean

   the happy medium

2. an intervening substance or agency for transmitting or producing an effect; vehicle

   air is a medium for sound

3. a means or agency for communicating or diffusing information, news, etc, to the public

   television is a powerful medium

4. a person supposedly used as a spiritual intermediary between the dead and the living
5. the substance in which specimens of animals and plants are preserved or displayed
6. biology short for culture medium
7. the substance or surroundings in which an organism naturally lives or grows
8. art
   1. the category of a work of art, as determined by its materials and methods of production

      the medium of wood engraving

   2. the materials used in a work of art
9. any solvent in which pigments are mixed and thinned
10. any one of various sizes of writing or printing paper, esp 18 1 2 by 23 1 2 inches or 17 1 2 by 22 inches ( small medium )

medium

/ mē′dē-əm /

, Plural media

1. A substance, such as agar, in which bacteria or other microorganisms are grown for scientific purposes.
2. A substance that makes possible the transfer of energy from one location to another, especially through waves. For example, matter of sufficient density can be a medium for sound waves, which transfer mechanical energy.
3. See more at wave

Usage Note

See media ¹.

Usage

See media 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of medium¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin: “the middle,” noun use of neuter of medius “middle”; mid ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of medium¹

C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle

Idioms and Phrases

see happy medium .

Example Sentences

For play at an IndieCade event is not just a medium but a language.

From Los Angeles Times

Even then, like when celebrity chefs go on to host TV shows, they often build up a following through that medium before expanding into additional areas, like selling their own line of pantry items.

From Salon

Asked if the UK would seek a special trade arrangement so there were no extra tariffs on British exports to the US, Lammy said: "We will seek to ensure and to get across to the United States, and I believe that they would understand this, that hurting your closest allies cannot be in your medium or long-term interests."

From BBC

She’s pursued “interesting roles,” regardless of the medium, for both the love of performing and because, as someone who started in theater, “I fear unemployment.”

From Los Angeles Times

Each iteration is informed by the culture of the city hosting it, with the sole central medium of air.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• intermediate