medium
noun
me·di·um
| \ ˈmē-dē-əm
\
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plural mediums
or media\ ˈmē-dē-ə
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Definition of medium
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: something in a middle position
These shirts are all mediums.
b
: a middle condition or degree : mean
Look for a happy medium.
2
: a means of effecting or conveying something: such as
a(1)
: a substance regarded as the means of transmission (see transmission sense 1) of a force or effect
air is the medium that conveys sound
(2)
: a surrounding or enveloping substance
(3)
: the tenuous material (such as gas and dust) in space that exists outside large agglomerations (see agglomeration sense 2) of matter (such as stars)
interstellar medium
b plural usually media
(1)
: a channel or system of communication, information, or entertainment — compare mass medium
(2)
: a publication or broadcast that carries advertising
(3)
: a mode of artistic expression or communication
as his literary medium he has chosen a biographical form— Ernest Newman
(4)
: something (such as a magnetic disk) on which information may be stored
c
media plural
: digital audio or video files available for playback or streaming
… the free video broadcasts can be downloaded to portable media players from a number of popular pod[cast] and vodcast Web sites.— Steve Miller Apple's current keyboards can use the function keys … for alternate functions such as controlling volume, screen brightness, media playback …— Dan Frakes
d
: go-between, intermediary
the medium of introduction was no doubt … the publisher— Richard Garnett
d
plural mediums
: an individual held to be a channel of communication between the earthly world and a world of spirits
e
: material or technical means of artistic expression (such as paint and canvas, sculptural stone, or literary or musical form)
3a
: a condition or environment in which something may function or flourish
Ocean fish live in a medium of salt water.
b plural media
(1)
: a nutrient system for the artificial cultivation of cells or organisms and especially bacteria
(2)
: a fluid or solid in which organic (see organic entry 1 sense 3) structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)
c
: a liquid with which pigment is mixed by a painter
medium
adjectiveDefinition of medium (Entry 2 of 2)
: intermediate in quantity, quality, position, size, or degree
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Synonyms for medium
Synonyms: Noun
golden mean, mean, middle, middle ground, midpoint
Synonyms: Adjective
average, intermediate, mean, median, middle, middling, midsize (also midsized), moderate, modest
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Examples of medium in a Sentence
Noun
These shirts are all mediums and I take a large. Make my French fries a medium. Her preferred medium is sculpture. The artist works in two media , pencil and watercolor.Adjective
These T-shirts are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large. a person of medium build How would you like your steak, sir: rare, medium, or well-done?
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
After the game, Tulane coach Willie Fritz, cornerback Thakarius Keyes, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and linebacker Marvin Moody all met with the media. — Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, "What Tulane coach Willie Fritz, players said after losing to Auburn," 8 Sep. 2019 Nonetheless, Trump tweeted the image, again demanding an apology from the media for pointing out his original misstatement, followed by a series of other images that showed early projections for tropical storm force winds in Alabama. — Shannon Pettypiece, NBC News, "Why Trump's storm over Alabama was the hurricane's most predictable pattern," 6 Sep. 2019 The wins — and the national exposure on a network that would go on to take its place among the biggest names in media — were memorable. — Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "40 years ago, a Kentucky softball team won the first live game ever broadcast on ESPN," 6 Sep. 2019 Some of those tools have faced criticism, in particular from German news media and politicians. — Washington Post, "Lagarde defends ECB’s low rates as she prepares to take over," 5 Sep. 2019 Research firm Loup Ventures estimates YouTube’s total revenue will be $10 billion to $15 billion this year, with $500 million to $750 million of that coming from children’s media. — Los Angeles Times, "YouTube will use spotty AI to keep targeted ads off videos for kids," 4 Sep. 2019 Levandowski argued that the agility of a bike would be an asset in the race across the Mojave Desert, but the cool factor of going with two wheels—a move nobody else tried—helped him attract sponsors and media attention. — Wired, "How Anthony Levandowski Put Himself at the Center of an Industry," 29 Aug. 2019 Those numbers contradict a Monmouth University Poll that drew attention from the news media, including The New York Times, earlier in the week. — Katie Glueck, New York Times, "Polling Picture Comes Into Focus: Biden Leads a 3-Way Race at the Top," 28 Aug. 2019 Including female writers and producers might help communicate these stories, especially since many of the most powerful accusations were against men working in the media and film industries. — Sangeeta Singh-kurtz, Quartz at Work, "Bombshell might be the first great film about the Me Too movement," 27 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. — Ellie Krieger, The Denver Post, "A quick and flavorful chickpea stew for all your busy nights ahead," 9 Sep. 2019 In a large skillet, melt half the butter over medium heat until bubbling. — Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, "Brunch recipe: BLT French Toast Sandwich with Egg and Spicy Aioli," 7 Sep. 2019 Melt chocolate chips, butter, and cocoa in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. — Tara Bench, Country Living, "Marshmallow Ghost Brownies," 6 Sep. 2019 In a large skillet with a lid, heat the oil over medium heat. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Melissa Copeland’s veggie-rich Mexican rice: a meal in itself," 3 Sep. 2019 Add stew meat and onions and cook over medium heat until meat browns, about 5 minutes. — Mary Bergin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A little-known heirloom pepper has its own festival in Beaver Dam, where it arrived in America long ago," 3 Sep. 2019 Using a large saute pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. — Claire Perez, sun-sentinel.com, "Positano’s Zuppa di Mussels: ‘Everyone loves dunking their bread in the garlicky tomato sauce’," 30 Aug. 2019 Cook over medium heat, stirring with a spatula to scramble the mixture into soft-set eggs. — Jeanmarie Brownson, chicagotribune.com, "Chipotle-flavored onions amplify anything they touch, from burgers to shrimp tostadas," 27 Aug. 2019 Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the peaches are very soft and the mixture starts to thicken, about 30 minutes. — Wolfgang Puck, Twin Cities, "Wolfgang Puck: Cool off with homemade ice cream that captures the essence of summer fruit," 14 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'medium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.