noun
means
meenz
noun
1
A method, tool, or resource used to achieve a particular result.
"Recycling is one means of reducing landfill waste."
"They found a means of escape through the back window."
2
Financial resources or wealth.
"He lived well beyond his means."
How to Use Means
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way of doing something, or, separately, the money someone has available.
Common mistake
Despite the "-s", "means" in the "method" sense is often treated as singular ("a means to an end") — don't automatically add or remove the "s" when changing number.
Common pairings
by all means
means to an end
live within your means
a man of means
Word Forms
means plural, Meanses plural
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Recycling is one _____ of reducing landfill waste.
Etymology
From mean in the sense "method used to achieve a result" — compare French moyens.