Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for medium 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 cm) in England, 18 × 23 to 19 × 25 inches (46 × 58 to 48 × 64 cm) in America. Chiefly British a size of drawing or writing paper, 17½ × 22 inches (44 × 56 cm). 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. Show More
about halfway between extremes, as of degree, amount, quality, position, or size: Cook over medium heat. He is of medium height. Show More
Origin of medium 1575–85; <
Latin: the middle, noun use of neuter of
medius middle. See
mid1 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for medium intermediate ,
form ,
tool ,
mechanism ,
instrument ,
vehicle ,
channel ,
climate ,
element ,
music ,
art ,
par ,
commonplace ,
fair ,
normal ,
median ,
middling ,
standard ,
middle ,
neutral Examples from the Web for medium Contemporary Examples of medium Place the thinly sliced shallots in a medium bowl and pour buttermilk over to coat.
And since visual media is more compelling than any other medium , it is consistently their drug of choice.
For OK Go the music video is medium for personal creativity, hype, and branding.
Video has been the medium of choice for winning artists of late; the two previous winners were both video artists.
Meanwhile, heat the butter in a medium heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset.
Historical Examples of medium Yet they not only use this medium , but mistake it for the whitest sunshine.
Through what medium can the idea of servitude enter their minds?
The new—or what seems new to me—is apparently the medium in which it is most at home.
Yet how imperfect a glimpse do we obtain of him, through the medium of this, or any of his letters!
It was, indeed, necessary for me to converse by the medium of an interpreter.
British Dictionary definitions for medium midway between extremes; average a medium size (of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a moderate amount of light a medium red Compare light 1 (def. 29) , dark (def. 2) Show More
noun plural -dia (-dɪə ) or -diums an intermediate or middle state, degree, or condition; mean the happy medium an intervening substance or agency for transmitting or producing an effect; vehicle air is a medium for sound a means or agency for communicating or diffusing information, news, etc, to the public television 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 production the 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 1 /2 1 /2 small medium ) Show More
Word Origin for medium C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for medium n. 1580s, "a middle ground, quality, or degree," from Latin medium "the middle, midst, center; interval," noun use of neuter of adjective medius (see medial (adj.)). Meaning "intermediate agency, channel of communication" is from c.1600. That of "person who conveys spiritual messages" first recorded 1853, from notion of "substance through which something is conveyed." Artistic sense (oil, watercolors, etc.) is from 1854. Happy medium is the "golden mean," Horace's aurea mediocritas .
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adj. 1660s, "average," from medium (n.). The Latin adjective was medius . Meaning "intermediate" is from 1796. As a size designation from 1711. as a designation of cooked meat, it is attested from 1931, short for medium-rare (1881).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Something, such as an intermediate course of action, that occupies a position or represents a condition midway between extremes. An intervening substance through which something else is transmitted or carried on. An agency by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred. The substance, often nutritive, in which a specific organism lives and thrives. A culture medium. A filtering substance, such as filter paper. Show More
Occurring or being between two degrees, amounts, or quantities; intermediate. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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 .Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Idioms and Phrases with medium The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
