medium
about halfway between extremes: The shirt was a size medium.; an agency by which something is conveyed: the medium of television
Not to be confused with:
median – relating to the middle: a median strip in a highway; a midpoint, line, or plane: The median cost of a home is higher than ever.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
me·di·um
(mē′dē-əm)n. pl. me·di·a (-dē-ə) or me·di·ums
1. Something, such as an intermediate course of action, that occupies a position or represents a condition midway between extremes.
2. Physics
a. A substance that propagates energy or signals through space via changes in its own state: Air acts as a medium for the transmission of sound waves.
b. The sparsely distributed gas and dust subsisting in the space between stars.
3. An agency by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or transferred: The train was the usual medium of transportation in those days.
4. pl. media Usage Problem
a. A means of mass communication, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television.
b. media(used with a sing. or pl. verb) The group of journalists and others who constitute the communications industry and profession.
5. pl. media Computers Any of various kinds of storage devices, such as hard drives or digital audiotape.
6. pl. mediums A person thought to have the power to communicate with the spirits of the dead or with agents of another world or dimension. Also called psychic.
7. pl. media
a. A surrounding environment in which something functions and thrives.
b. The substance in which a specific organism lives and thrives.
c. A culture medium.
8.
a. A specific kind of artistic technique or means of expression as determined by the materials used or the creative methods involved: the medium of lithography.
b. The materials used in a specific artistic technique: oils as a medium.
9. A solvent with which paint is thinned to the proper consistency.
10. Chemistry A filtering substance, such as filter paper.
adj.
Occurring or being between two degrees, amounts, or quantities; intermediate: ordered a medium coffee. See Synonyms at average.
Usage Note: The etymologically plural form media is sometimes used as a singular to refer to a particular means of communication, as in The internet is the most exciting new media since television. Many people regard this usage as incorrect. In our 2001 survey, 91 percent of the Usage Panel rejected this usage in the example just quoted. In such contexts. the singular medium is acceptable. · Media also occurs with the definite article as a collective term that refers to the communities and institutions behind the various forms of communication. In this sense, the media means something like "the press." Like other collective nouns, it may take a singular or plural verb depending on the intended meaning. If the point is to emphasize the multifaceted nature of the press, a plural verb may be more appropriate: The media have covered the trial in a variety of formats. Quite frequently, however, media stands as a singular noun for the aggregate of journalists and broadcasters: The media has not shown much interest in covering the trial. All things being equal, the Usage Panel has a decided preference for the plural use in these sentences, with 91 percent accepting the variety of formats sentence, and only 38 accepting the covering the trial sentence in 2001. This suggests that many people still think of media predominantly as a plural form, and that it will be some time before the singular use of media begins to crowd out the plural use in the manner of similar Latin plurals, such as agenda and data. · Inconveniently, the singular medium cannot be used as a collective noun for the press. Sentences like No medium has shown much interest in covering the trial are not standard and may be viewed as nonsensical.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
medium
(ˈmiːdɪəm)adj
1. midway between extremes; average: a medium size.
n, pl -dia (-dɪə) or -diums
3. an intermediate or middle state, degree, or condition; mean: the happy medium.
4. an intervening substance or agency for transmitting or producing an effect; vehicle: air is a medium for sound.
5. (Communications & Information) a means or agency for communicating or diffusing information, news, etc, to the public: television is a powerful medium.
6. (Alternative Belief Systems) a person supposedly used as a spiritual intermediary between the dead and the living
7. (Biology) the substance in which specimens of animals and plants are preserved or displayed
8. (Microbiology) biology short for culture medium
9. (Biology) the substance or surroundings in which an organism naturally lives or grows
10. (Art Terms) art
a. the category of a work of art, as determined by its materials and methods of production: the medium of wood engraving.
b. the materials used in a work of art
11. (Chemistry) any solvent in which pigments are mixed and thinned
12. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) any one of various sizes of writing or printing paper, esp 18 by 23 inches or 17 by 22 inches (small medium)
[C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle]
Usage: See at media1
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
me•di•um
(ˈmi di əm)n., pl. -di•a (-di ə) for 1-9, 11, -di•ums for 1-11, 17, n.
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 or television.
8. the substance in which specimens are displayed or preserved.
9. Also called culture medium. a nutrient material for the cultivation of microorganisms, tissues, etc.
10. a person through whom the spirits of the dead are alleged to be able to contact the living.
11.
a. a size, as of garments, to fit the average figure.
b. an item in this size.
12. the material or technique with which an artist works.
adj. 13. about halfway between extremes in degree, quantity, position, or quality.
[1575–85; < Latin: n. use of neuter of medius middle. See mid1]
usage: See media1.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
me·di·um
(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 through which energy, especially in waves, is transmitted. Sound waves, for example, can travel through the medium of a solid (such as wood or steel), a liquid (such as water), or a gas (such as air). In contrast, seismic waves can travel through the Earth's solid layers and in some cases its liquid layer (the outer core) as well, but they cannot travel through air. See more at wave.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
medium
Someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
| Noun | 1. | medium - a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information instrumentation, instrumentality - an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end vehicle - a medium for the expression or achievement of something; "his editorials provided a vehicle for his political views"; "a congregation is a vehicle of group identity"; "the play was just a vehicle to display her talents" paper - a medium for written communication; "the notion of an office running without paper is absurd" cinema, film, celluloid - a medium that disseminates moving pictures; "theater pieces transferred to celluloid"; "this story would be good cinema"; "film coverage of sporting events" print media - a medium that disseminates printed matter data-storage medium, storage medium - a medium for storing information telecom, telecommunication - (often plural) systems used in transmitting messages over a distance electronically album, record album - one or more recordings issued together; originally released on 12-inch phonograph records (usually with attractive record covers) and later on cassette audiotape and compact disc |
| 2. |  medium - the surrounding environment; "fish require an aqueous medium"environs, surround, surroundings, environment - the area in which something exists or lives; "the country--the flat agricultural surround" | |
| 3. | medium - an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means for communication communicating, communication - the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information; "they could not act without official communication from Moscow" aether, ether - a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves | |
| 4. |  medium - (bacteriology) a nutrient substance (solid or liquid) that is used to cultivate micro-organismsbacteriology - the branch of medical science that studies bacteria in relation to disease agar, nutrient agar - any culture medium that uses agar as the gelling agent | |
| 5. |  medium - a liquid with which pigment is mixed by a painterliquid - a substance that is liquid at room temperature and pressure | |
| 6. | medium - (biology) a substance in which specimens are preserved or displayed substance - the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes" biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms contrast material, contrast medium - a substance that is opaque to x-rays; when administered it allows a radiologist to examine the organ or tissue it fills | |
| 7. | medium - an intervening substance through which something is achieved; "the dissolving medium is called a solvent" substance - the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes" dissolvent, dissolver, dissolving agent, resolvent, solvent - a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances; "the solvent does not change its state in forming a solution" | |
| 8. | medium - a state that is intermediate between extremes; a middle position; "a happy medium" state - the way something is with respect to its main attributes; "the current state of knowledge"; "his state of health"; "in a weak financial state" | |
| 9. |  medium - someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead; "he consulted several mediums"psychic - a person apparently sensitive to things beyond the natural range of perception | |
| 10. |  medium - (usually plural) transmissions that are disseminated widely to the publictransmission - communication by means of transmitted signals broadcast medium, broadcasting - a medium that disseminates via telecommunications | |
| 11. |  medium - an occupation for which you are especially well suited; "in law he found his true metier"job, line of work, occupation, business, line - the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money; "he's not in my line of business" | |
| Adj. | 1. | medium - around the middle of a scale of evaluation; "an orange of average size"; "intermediate capacity"; "medium bombers" moderate - being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme; "moderate prices"; "a moderate income"; "a moderate fine"; "moderate demands"; "a moderate estimate"; "a moderate eater"; "moderate success"; "a kitchen of moderate size"; "the X-ray showed moderate enlargement of the heart" |
| 2. | medium - (meat) cooked until there is just a little pink meat inside cooked - having been prepared for eating by the application of heat |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
medium
adjective
noun
1. means, way, form, channel, method, vehicle, instrument, avenue, forum, organ, mode English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
2. spiritualist, seer, clairvoyant, fortune teller, spiritist, channeller Going to see a medium provided a starting point for her.
3. middle, mean, centre, average, compromise, middle ground, middle way, midpoint, middle course, middle path It's difficult to strike a happy medium.
4. environment, setting, conditions, influences, surroundings, element, atmosphere, habitat, milieu Blood is a favourable medium for bacteria to grow in.
Quotations
"The medium is the message" [Marshall McLuhan Understanding Media]
"The medium is the message" [Marshall McLuhan Understanding Media]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
medium
noun1. Something, as a type, number, quantity, or degree, that represents a midpoint between extremes on a scale of valuation:
2. A settlement of differences through mutual concession:
Law: composition.
3. That by which something is accomplished or some end achieved:
agency, agent, instrument, instrumentality, instrumentation, intermediary, mean (used in plural), mechanism, organ.
4. Journalists and journalism in general.Used in plural (media):
British: Fleet Street.
5. The totality of surrounding conditions and circumstances affecting growth or development:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
مُتَوسِّطمُعْتَدِلوَسَط، بيئَهوَسيطوَسَيط، واسِطَه، وسيلَه
střednímédiumprostředekprostředí
mediummedium-middelmiddel-materiale
keinokeski-keskikokoinenliuotinmedia
माद्धयम
srednji
hírközlõ szervekközegmédium
fjölmiîillmiîillmillistærîræktunarvökvi, ætihlaup
中くらいの
중간의
informavimo priemonėsmediumasterpė
barotnelīdzeklismēdijsmērensvide
średnimedium
médiumprostriedok
srednji
medel
ซึ่งอยู่ระหว่างกลาง
trung bình
medium
[ˈmiːdɪəm]A. ADJ
B. N
1. (media, mediums (pl))
1.1. (= means of communication) → medio m
the advertising media → los medios publicitarios or de publicidad
through the medium of television/the press → por medio de la televisión/la prensa → a través de la televisión/la prensa
the advertising media → los medios publicitarios or de publicidad
through the medium of television/the press → por medio de la televisión/la prensa → a través de la televisión/la prensa
1.2. (= intervening substance) → medio m; (= environment) → medio ambiente m
air is a medium for sound → el aire es un medio de transmisión del sonido
air is a medium for sound → el aire es un medio de transmisión del sonido
1.3. (for growing culture) → caldo m de cultivo; (for preserving specimens) sustancia usada para conservar muestras de laboratorio
1.4. (= solvent) → diluyente m
1.5. (Art) (= technique, materials used) → medio m
2. (mediums (pl)) (= spiritualist) → médium mf
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
medium
[ˈmiːdiəm] adj [size, height, heat, strength, dose, portion, glass] → moyen(ne)
a man of medium height → un homme de taille moyenne
a man of medium height → un homme de taille moyenne
n [media] (pl)
(= means) [mediums] (pl) → médium m
Air is the medium by which sound is transmitted → L'air est le médium par lequel le son se propage.
medium of instruction → véhicule m de l'enseignement
In Sierra Leone, English is the medium of instruction → En Sierra Leone, l'anglais est le véhicule de l'enseignement.
Air is the medium by which sound is transmitted → L'air est le médium par lequel le son se propage.
medium of instruction → véhicule m de l'enseignement
In Sierra Leone, English is the medium of instruction → En Sierra Leone, l'anglais est le véhicule de l'enseignement.
[artist] → moyen m d'expression
(= spiritualist) → médium mf
the happy medium → le juste milieu
to strike a happy medium → trouver le juste milieumedium-dry [ˌmiːdiəmˈdraɪ] adj [wine, sherry, cider] → demi-secmedium range missile n → missile m à moyenne portéemedium rare adj [steak] → à pointmedium-sized [ˈmiːdiəmsaɪzd] adj → de taille moyenne
a medium-sized town → une ville de taille moyennemedium-sweet [ˌmiːdiəmˈswiːt] adj [wine, sherry, cider] → demi-douxmedium-term [ˈmiːdiəmtɜːrm] adj → à moyen termemedium wave medium-wave [ˈmiːdiəmweɪv] n → ondes fpl moyennes
on medium wave → sur ondes moyennesmedium-wave [ˈmiːdiəmweɪv] adj → sur ondes moyennes
to strike a happy medium → trouver le juste milieumedium-dry [ˌmiːdiəmˈdraɪ] adj [wine, sherry, cider] → demi-secmedium range missile n → missile m à moyenne portéemedium rare adj [steak] → à pointmedium-sized [ˈmiːdiəmsaɪzd] adj → de taille moyenne
a medium-sized town → une ville de taille moyennemedium-sweet [ˌmiːdiəmˈswiːt] adj [wine, sherry, cider] → demi-douxmedium-term [ˈmiːdiəmtɜːrm] adj → à moyen termemedium wave medium-wave [ˈmiːdiəmweɪv] n → ondes fpl moyennes
on medium wave → sur ondes moyennesmedium-wave [ˈmiːdiəmweɪv] adj → sur ondes moyennes
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
medium
adj quality, size, height, length etc → mittlere(r, s); steak → halb durch, medium; (= medium-sized) → mittelgroß; medium brown → mittelbraun; of medium height/build/size → mittelgroß; of medium difficulty → mittelschwer; cook over a medium heat → bei mittlerer Hitze kochen; in/over the medium term → mittelfristig
n pl <media or -s>
(= means) → Mittel nt; (TV, Rad, Press) → Medium nt; (Art, Liter) → Ausdrucksmittel nt; medium of exchange → Tauschmittel nt; through the medium of the press → durch die Presse; advertising medium → Werbeträger m
(= surrounding substance) (Phys) → Medium nt; (= environment) → Umgebung f; (air, water etc) → Element nt
(= midpoint) → Mitte f; happy medium → goldener Mittelweg; to strike a happy medium → den goldenen Mittelweg finden
(= spiritualist) → Medium nt
medium
in cpds → mittel-;medium-dry
adj wine, sherry → halbtrocken
medium-priced
medium-range
medium-size, medium-sized
adj → mittelgroß
medium-term
adj → mittelfristig
medium wave
n → Mittelwelle f
medium-wave
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
medium
[ˈmiːdɪəm]2. n
a. (spiritualist) → medium m/f inv
b. (media or mediums (pl)) (gen) (Phys) → mezzo
through the medium of the press → per mezzo della stampa
an advertising medium → un organo di pubblicità
the artist's medium → i mezzi espressivi dell'artista
see also media
through the medium of the press → per mezzo della stampa
an advertising medium → un organo di pubblicità
the artist's medium → i mezzi espressivi dell'artista
see also media
c. (midpoint) a happy medium → una giusta misura or una via di mezzo
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
medium
(ˈmiːdiəm) – plurals media (-diə) mediums – noun1. something by or through which an effect is produced. Air is the medium through which sound is carried.
2. (especially in plural) a means (especially radio, television and newspapers) by which news etc is made known. the news media.
3. a person through whom spirits of dead people are said to speak. I know a medium who says she can communicate with Napoleon.
4. a substance in which specimens are preserved, bacteria grown etc.
adjective middle or average in size, quality etc. Would you like the small, medium or large packet?
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
medium
→ مُعْتَدِل střední medium mittelmäßig μέσος mediano keski- moyen srednji medio 中くらいの 중간의 gemiddeld mellom- średni médio средний medel ซึ่งอยู่ระหว่างกลาง orta trung bình 中间的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
me·di·um
n. medio.
1. intermediario-a, elemento mediante el cual se obtiene un resultado;
2. sustancia que transmite impulsos;
3. sustancia que se usa en un cultivo de bacterias.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
medium
adj mediano; n medio; contrast — medio de contraste, contraste m (fam)English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.