Dictionary.com

medium

[ mee-dee-uhm ]
/ ˈmi di əm /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: medium / media / mediums on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural meĀ·diĀ·a [mee-dee-uh] /ˈmi di ə/ for 1-9, 11, meĀ·diĀ·ums for 1-11, 14.
adjective
about halfway between extremes, as of degree, amount, quality, position, or size: Cook over medium heat. He is of medium height.
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

Origin of medium

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin: ā€œthe middle,ā€ noun use of neuter of medius ā€œmiddleā€; see mid1

usage note for medium

7. See media1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use medium in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for medium

medium
/ (ˈmiːdÉŖÉ™m) /

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 (-dÉŖÉ™) or -diums
See also mediums

Word Origin for medium

C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle

undefined medium

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

Medical definitions for medium

medium
[ mē′dē-əm ]

n. pl. me•di•ums
adj.
Occurring or being between two degrees, amounts, or quantities; intermediate.
The American HeritageĀ® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright Ā© 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.
The American HeritageĀ® Science Dictionary Copyright Ā© 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with medium

medium

see happy medium.

The American HeritageĀ® Idioms Dictionary Copyright Ā© 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
FEEDBACK