medium
MEE-dee-uhm
Medium (noun) means a method or channel used to communicate or express something. Example: “Painting has always been her preferred artistic medium.”
noun
1
A method or channel used to communicate or express something.
"Painting has always been her preferred artistic medium."
"Television remains a powerful medium for reaching large audiences."
"Email is the quickest medium for sending short messages to colleagues."
2
A person who claims to communicate with spirits of the dead.
"The medium claimed to be channeling messages from the woman's late father."
"The medium held a candle and said she could hear voices."
"People gathered around the medium, hoping for a message from a lost relative."
adj
1
Of a middle size, degree, or amount, between two extremes.
"I'll take a medium coffee, please."
"He ordered his steak medium, still slightly pink in the center."
"She is of medium height with short brown hair."
How to use medium
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA middle option or a means of conveying something — can describe size, an art form, a communication channel, or a spiritualist.
Common pairings
artistic medium
medium rare
medium size
spiritual medium
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Word forms
- Plural
- media, mediums
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Painting has always been her preferred artistic _____.
Etymology
From Latin medium, the neuter form of medius ("middle").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for medium
See all rhymes for medium →Frequently asked questions
What does “medium” mean?
The word “medium” means a method or channel used to communicate or express something. In plain terms, a middle option or a means of conveying something — can describe size, an art form, a communication channel, or a spiritualist.
How do you pronounce “medium”?
“Medium” is pronounced MEE-dee-uhm (/ˈmiː.di.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “medium” in a sentence?
Here is “medium” used in a sentence: “Painting has always been her preferred artistic medium.”
What part of speech is “medium”?
Depending on how it is used, “medium” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “medium” come from?
The word “medium” comes from Latin. From Latin medium, the neuter form of medius ("middle").
Is “medium” a common word?
“Medium” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “medium” have?
“Medium” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a method or channel used to communicate or express something.
What is the difference between medium and media?
"Media" is the plural of "medium." One channel of communication or expression is a medium; two or more are media. Paint is a medium; paint and clay are media. Confusion arises because "the media" is now treated as a collective term for the press and broadcasters, often taking a singular verb.
What are examples of a medium?
In communication and art, a medium is any channel carrying a message: television, radio, print, and the internet are media of mass communication. In art, oil paint, charcoal, clay, and film are all media. Each is a different means through which ideas, images, or messages are expressed and shared.
Does medium always mean a communication channel?
No — it has several unrelated senses. It can mean a middle size or degree, as in a medium coffee; a substance something lives or grows in, like a culture medium; or a person claiming to contact the dead. Context shows which sense of "medium" is meant.
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