medium

[ mee-dee-uhm ]

/ ˈmi di əm /

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See synonyms for: medium / media / mediums on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural me·di·a

[mee-dee-uh] /ˈmi di ə/ for 1-9, 11, me·di·ums for 1-11, 14.

a middle state or condition; mean.

something intermediate in nature or degree.

an intervening substance, as air, through which a force acts or an effect is produced.

the element that is the natural habitat of an organism.

surrounding objects, conditions, or influences; environment.

an intervening agency, means, or instrument by which something is conveyed or accomplished: Words are a medium of expression.

one of the means or channels of general communication, information, or entertainment in society, as newspapers, radio, or television.

Biology. the substance in which specimens are displayed or preserved.

Also called culture medium. Bacteriology. a liquid or solidified nutrient material suitable for the cultivation of microorganisms.

a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living.

Fine Arts.

Painting. a liquid with which pigments are mixed.
the material or technique with which an artist works: the medium of watercolor.

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.

Chiefly British. a size of drawing or writing paper, 17½ × 22 inches (44 × 56 centimeters).

Also called medium strip .Midland U.S. median strip.

in medium, Movies, Television. with the principal actors in the middle distance: The scene was shot in medium.

adjective

about halfway between extremes, as of degree, amount, quality, position, or size: Cook over medium heat. He is of medium height.

OTHER WORDS FOR medium

16 average, mean, middling.

See synonyms for medium on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of medium

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin: “the middle,” noun use of neuter of medius “middle”; see mid¹

usage note for medium

7. See media¹.

Words nearby medium

Mediterranean diet, Mediterranean fever, Mediterranean flour moth, Mediterranean fruit fly, Mediterranean Sea, medium, medium artillery, medium bomber, medium-dated, medium frequency, mediumistic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use medium in a sentence

Look for instruction more than inspirationLike most social media, TikTok is a platform where people want to show who they are—the best, most exciting version of themselves.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
She was often pictured sitting against the back wall of the Situation Room near Pence in photos posted to social media.
Former Pence aide says she will vote for Biden because of Trump’s ‘flat out disregard for human life’ during pandemic|Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Moreno wrote he could face between 3-4 years in prison “for simply publishing on social media networks.”
Cuban authorities threaten to arrest LGBTQ activist, journalist|Michael K. Lavers|September 17, 2020|Washington Blade
The Biden campaign said the ads are part of $65 million in spending this week on paid media, including television, radio and print advertising.
Trump contradicts CDC director on vaccine; Biden says Americans shouldn’t trust Trump|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 16, 2020|Washington Post

Thirty-nine percent of merchants are planning to sell products on digital marketplaces, and 31% will make products available for purchase through social media apps, according to PayPal.
What retailers should expect going into a holiday season during a pandemic|Rachel King|September 16, 2020|Fortune
While the beans are cooling and drying, melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Place the thinly sliced shallots in a medium bowl and pour buttermilk over to coat.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heat the rum in a small skillet over medium until reduce by half.
Carla Hall’s Christmas Day Treat: Rum Balls|Carla Hall|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While the pork is resting, heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finish the sauce by putting the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
Make Carla Hall’s Roasted Pork Loin With Cranberries|Carla Hall|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The medium pitch expresses warmth, emotion, and the heart qualities.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
They vary greatly in size, being sometimes so small as to seem mere points of light with medium-power objectives.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
At present this medium is paper money depreciated, as in the case of the Reichsbank notes, by nearly 30 per cent.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
"Say yes quickly," he cried, and the strength of his will and passion vibrated to her through the medium he had established.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
And a rampant ache in my head, seconded by a medium-sized gash in the scalp, didn't make for an access of optimism at that moment.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for medium

medium

/ (ˈmiːdɪəm) /

adjective

midway between extremes; averagea medium size

(of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a moderate amount of lighta medium red Compare light 1 (def. 29), dark (def. 2)

noun plural -dia (-dɪə) or -diums

an intermediate or middle state, degree, or condition; meanthe happy medium

an intervening substance or agency for transmitting or producing an effect; vehicleair is a medium for sound

a means or agency for communicating or diffusing information, news, etc, to the publictelevision is a powerful medium

a person supposedly used as a spiritual intermediary between the dead and the living

the substance in which specimens of animals and plants are preserved or displayed

biology short for culture medium

the substance or surroundings in which an organism naturally lives or grows

art

the category of a work of art, as determined by its materials and methods of productionthe medium of wood engraving
the materials used in a work of art

any solvent in which pigments are mixed and thinned

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)

Word Origin for medium

C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle

undefined medium

See media 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for medium

medium

[ mē′dē-əm ]

Plural media

A substance, such as agar, in which bacteria or other microorganisms are grown for scientific purposes.

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. See more at wave.

Other Idioms and Phrases with medium

medium

see happy medium.

medium

OTHER WORDS FOR medium

Origin of medium

usage note for medium

Words nearby medium

Words related to medium

How to use medium in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for medium

Word Origin for medium

undefined medium

Scientific definitions for medium

Other Idioms and Phrases with medium