Word forms: plural mediums, plural medialanguage note: The plural of the noun can be either mediums or media for meanings [sense 4] and , [sense 5]. The form mediums is the plural for meaning [sense 6].
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If something is of medium size, it is neither large nor small, but approximately half way between the two.
A medium dose produces severe nausea within hours.
He was of medium height with blond hair and light blue eyes.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
You use medium to describe something which is average in degree or amount, or approximately half way along ascale between two extremes.
Foods that contain only medium levels of sodium are bread, cakes, milk, butter andmargarine.
...a sweetish, medium-strength beer.
Synonyms: average, mean, middle, middling More Synonyms of medium
Medium is also an adverb.
Cook under a medium-hot grill.
3. adjective
If something is of a medium colour, it is neither light nor dark, but approximately half way between the two.
Andrea has medium brown hair, grey eyes and very pale skin.
When violet is added to the medium blue a particularly striking, warm colorationis created.
4. countable noun
A medium is a way or means of expressing your ideas or of communicating with people.
In Sierra Leone, English is used as the medium of instruction for all primary education. [+ of]
But Artaud was increasingly dissatisfied with film as a medium.
Synonyms: means, way, form, channel More Synonyms of medium
5. countable noun
A medium is a substance or material which is used for a particular purpose or in order toproduce a particular effect.
Blood is the medium in which oxygen is carried to all parts of the body.
Hyatt has found a way of creating these qualities using the more permanent mediumof oil paint.
Synonyms: environment, setting, conditions, influences More Synonyms of medium
6. countable noun
A medium is a person who claims to be able to contact and speak to people who are dead, and to pass messages between them and people who are still alive.
7. See also media
8.
See happy medium
More Synonyms of medium
medium in British English
(ˈmiːdɪəm)
adjective
1.
midway between extremes; average
a medium size
2.
(of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a moderate amount of light
a medium red
Compare light1 (sense 29), dark (sense 2)
nounWord forms: plural-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.
a means or agency for communicating or diffusing information, news, etc, to the public
television is a powerful medium
6.
a person supposedly used as a spiritual intermediary between the dead and the living
7.
the substance in which specimens of animals and plants are preserved or displayed
8. biology short for culture medium
9.
the substance or surroundings in which an organism naturally lives or grows
10. 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.
any solvent in which pigments are mixed and thinned
12.
any one of various sizes of writing or printing paper, esp 181⁄2 by 231⁄2 inches or 171⁄2 by 22 inches (small medium)
▶ USAGE See note at media1
Word origin
C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle
medium in American English
(ˈmidiəm)
nounWord forms: pluralˈmediums or ˈmedia (ˈmidiə)
1.
a.
something intermediate
b.
a middle state or degree; mean
2.
an intervening thing through which a force acts or an effect is produced
copper is a good medium for conducting heat
3. Word forms: pluralˈmedia
any means, agency, or instrumentality; specif., a means of communication that reaches the general public and carries advertising
in this specif. sense, a singular form media (pl.medias) is now often used see also media1
4.
any surrounding or pervading substance in which bodies exist or move
5.
environment
6.
a sterilized nutritive mixture, as enriched agar, for cultivating bacteria, viruses, etc.
7. Word forms: pluralˈmediums US
a person through whom communications are thought to be sent to the living from spirits of the dead
8.
any material or technique as used for expression or delineation in art
9.
a liquid mixed with pigments to give smoothness
adjective
10.
in a middle position; intermediate in quality, amount, degree, size, etc.
11.
neither rare nor well-done
said of cooked meat
Word origin
L, the middle, neut. of medius: see mid1
medium in Hospitality
(midiəm)
adjective
(Hospitality (hotel): Food and drink, meat)
Meat that is medium is cooked so that the inside is pink.
How would you like your steak cooked? Medium?
A medium steak should have a band of pink color in the middle.
You should know the difference between medium and medium rare steak.
medium rare, medium well
Examples of 'medium' in a sentence
medium
Preheat the grill to medium and line a baking tray with tin foil.
The Sun (2016)
He is now dividing his time between coaching and media work.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The social media site also announced a more direct way of reporting abusive content.
The Sun (2016)
Tip into a casserole pan on a medium heat with the butter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How did you get to be a social media influencer?
The Sun (2017)
The media then reported it as our success in getting support.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The plan includes 600 new study bedrooms and extra teaching and performance space for media and arts students.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Is there a happy medium?
The Sun (2016)
Of course, most people know the world doesn't ooze opulence and happiness in the way social media suggests it does.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Our creative arts and media have exceptional global reach.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The media were not the only ones indulging in vaguely pointless activities.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You work in film or media and think about yourself a lot.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The gap between urban and rural education is widest at small to medium sized schools.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The media were able to brand me.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The media is also given the information so that it can seek to challenge the restrictions.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Perhaps the standard narrative is just a way for the media to get itself off the hook.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You need to find your own happy medium.
Christianity Today (2000)
Melt butter in a pan on a medium heat until brown.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Stir the sauce over a medium low heat until it boils and thickens.
Bennett, Carol Asthma and Eczema - special diet cookbook (1989)
But it turned out to be bad news for the media.
The Sun (2013)
Preheat the grill to medium to high.
The Sun (2013)
Gone is the humour of many of his earlier works in this medium.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He will also act as the primary point of contact for the media on selection issues.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But the defendant in that case was identified and substantial sections of the evidence were reported by the media.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We mustn't get too nostalgic for any particular medium.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was of medium height, stocky with a rather florid complexion and powdered hair.
Paula Byrne PERDITA: The Life of Mary Robinson (2004)
While the loaf cooks, bring all the glaze ingredients to simmer in a small pan over a medium heat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Two shimmering medium greys highlight the eyelid, while a hint of silver opens up eyes with a touch of light.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In many classrooms language is the only explicit medium of instruction and such classrooms are often said to be havens for "chalk and talk".
Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)
Quotations
The medium is the messageMarshall McLuhanUnderstanding Media
Word lists with
medium
Wine terms
In other languages
medium
British English: medium /ˈmiːdɪəm/ ADJECTIVE
You use medium to describe something which is average in size, degree, or amount, or approximately halfway along a scale between two extremes.
He was of medium height.
American English: medium between extremes
Arabic: مُعْتَدِل
Brazilian Portuguese: médio
Chinese: 中间的
Croatian: srednji
Czech: střední
Danish: medium
Dutch: gemiddeld
European Spanish: mediano
Finnish: keski-
French: moyen
German: mittelmäßig
Greek: μέσος
Italian: medio media
Japanese: 中くらいの between extremes
Korean: 중간의
Norwegian: mellom-
Polish: średni
European Portuguese: médio
Romanian: mediu
Russian: средний
Latin American Spanish: mediano
Swedish: medel mellan
Thai: ซึ่งอยู่ระหว่างกลาง
Turkish: orta
Ukrainian: середній
Vietnamese: trung bình
British English: medium NOUN
A medium is a way or means of expressing your ideas or of communicating with people.
The language is used as the medium of instruction for all primary education in that country.
American English: medium
Brazilian Portuguese: meio
Chinese: 交流媒介
European Spanish: medio
French: moyen
German: Mittel
Italian: mezzo di comunicazione
Japanese: 媒体
Korean: 매체
European Portuguese: meio
Latin American Spanish: medio
Chinese translation of 'medium'
medium
(ˈmiːdɪəm)
Word forms:plmediamediums
adj
(= average)[size, height]中等的 (zhōngděng de)
(= clothing size) 中码(碼)的 (zhōngmǎ de)
n(c)
(= means)[of communication]媒介 (méijiè)
(= substance, material) 传(傳)导(導)体(體) (chuándǎotǐ)
Word forms:plmediums
(= person) 灵(靈)媒 (língméi) (个(個), gè)
to strike or find a happy medium找到一种(種)折中办(辦)法 (zhǎodào yī zhǒng zhēzhōng bànfǎ)
Seem
All related terms of 'medium'
m 3
metres 米 mǐ
medium wave
中波 zhōngbō
medium-sized
中等大小的 zhōngděng dàxiǎo de
of average/medium height
平均/中等高度 píngjūn/zhōngděng gāodù
MW
medium wave 中波 zhōngbō
to strike or find a happy medium
找到一种(種)折中办(辦)法 zhǎodào yī zhǒng zhēzhōng bànfǎ
(adjective)
Definition
midway between extremes of size, amount, or degree
foods which contain only medium levels of sodium
Synonyms
average
The average age of the group was 23.
mean
the mean score for 26-year-olds
middle
that crucial middle point of the picture
middling
a man of middling height
fair
He had a fair command of English.
intermediate
Consider breaking the journey with intermediate stopovers.
midway
mediocre
His university record was mediocre.
median
The median mark is 7.
medial
Opposites
unique
,
unusual
,
extraordinary
,
extreme
,
curious
,
distinctive
,
uncommon
,
utmost
1 (noun)
Definition
a substance which has a particular effect or can be used for a particular purpose
English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
Synonyms
means
way
Freezing is a great way to preserve most foods.
form
He contracted a rare form of cancer.
channel
We'll be lodging a complaint through the official channels.
method
new teaching methods
vehicle
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.
instrument
The veto is a traditional instrument for diplomacy.
avenue
It is set in landscaped grounds at the end of a tree-lined avenue.
forum
organ
the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Commmunist Party
mode
the capitalist mode of production
2 (noun)
Definition
a person who can supposedly communicate with the dead
Going to see a medium provided a starting point for her.
Synonyms
spiritualist
seer
clairvoyant
You don't need to be a clairvoyant to see how this is going to turn out.
fortune teller
spiritist
channeller
3 (noun)
Definition
a middle state, degree, or condition
It's difficult to strike a happy medium.
Synonyms
middle
I was in the middle of the back row.
mean
Take a hundred and twenty values and calculate the mean.
centre
A large wooden table dominates the centre of the room.
average
The pay is about the average for a service industry.
compromise
middle ground
middle way
midpoint
middle course
middle path
4 (noun)
Definition
the substance or surroundings in which an organism naturally lives or grows
Blood is a favourable medium for bacteria to grow in.
Synonyms
environment
The children were brought up in completely different environments.
setting
The house is in a lovely setting in the hills.
conditions
influences
surroundings
element
atmosphere
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
habitat
In its natural habitat, the hibiscus will grow up to 25ft.
milieu
They stayed within their own social milieu.
Quotation
The medium is the message [Marshall McLuhan – Understanding Media]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of atmosphere
Definition
a pervasive feeling or mood
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
Synonyms
feeling,
feel,
air,
quality,
character,
environment,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
climate,
flavour,
aura,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of avenue
Definition
a wide street
It is set in landscaped grounds at the end of a tree-lined avenue.
Synonyms
street,
way,
course,
drive,
road,
pass,
approach,
channel,
access,
entry,
route,
path,
passage,
entrance,
alley,
pathway,
boulevard,
driveway,
thoroughfare
in the sense of centre
Definition
the middle point or part of something
A large wooden table dominates the centre of the room.
Synonyms
middle,
heart,
focus,
mid (archaic),
core,
nucleus,
hub,
pivot,
kernel,
crux,
bull's-eye,
midpoint,
centR
Synonyms of 'medium'
medium
Explore 'medium' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of channel
Definition
a means of access or communication
We'll be lodging a complaint through the official channels.
Synonyms
means,
way,
course,
approach,
medium,
route,
path,
avenue
in the sense of clairvoyant
Definition
a person claiming to have the power to foretell future events
You don't need to be a clairvoyant to see how this is going to turn out.
Synonyms
psychic,
diviner,
prophet,
visionary,
oracle,
seer,
augur,
fortune-teller,
soothsayer,
sibyl,
prophetess,
haruspex,
telepath,
telepathist
in the sense of fair
Definition
quite large
He had a fair command of English.
Synonyms
respectable,
middling,
average,
reasonable,
decent,
acceptable,
moderate,
adequate,
satisfactory,
not bad,
mediocre,
so-so (informal),
tolerable,
passable,
O.K. or okay (informal),
all right
in the sense of form
Definition
a type or kind
He contracted a rare form of cancer.
Synonyms
type,
sort,
kind,
variety,
way,
system,
order,
class,
style,
practice,
method,
species,
manner,
stamp,
description
in the sense of habitat
Definition
the natural home of an animal or plant
In its natural habitat, the hibiscus will grow up to 25ft.
Synonyms
home,
environment,
surroundings,
element,
territory,
domain,
terrain,
locality,
home ground,
abode,
habitation (formal),
natural home
in the sense of instrument
Definition
an important factor in something
The veto is a traditional instrument for diplomacy.
Synonyms
agent,
means,
force,
cause,
medium,
agency (old-fashioned),
factor (Scottish),
channel,
vehicle,
mechanism,
organ
in the sense of intermediate
Definition
occurring between two points or extremes
Consider breaking the journey with intermediate stopovers.
Synonyms
middle,
mid,
halfway,
in-between (informal),
midway,
intervening,
transitional,
intermediary,
median,
interposed
in the sense of mean
Definition
occurring halfway between extremes or limits
the mean score for 26-year-olds
Synonyms
average,
middle,
middling,
standard,
medium,
normal,
intermediate,
median,
medial
in the sense of mean
Definition
the average
Take a hundred and twenty values and calculate the mean.
Synonyms
average,
middle,
balance,
norm,
median,
midpoint
in the sense of median
Definition
a middle point, plane, or part
The median mark is 7.
Synonyms
middle,
mid,
halfway,
medial
Additional synonyms
in the sense of mediocre
Definition
not very high quality
His university record was mediocre.
Synonyms
second-rate,
average,
ordinary,
indifferent,
middling,
pedestrian,
inferior,
commonplace,
vanilla (slang),
insignificant,
so-so (informal),
banal,
tolerable (informal),
run-of-the-mill,
passable,
undistinguished,
uninspired,
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang),
no great shakes (informal),
half-pie (New Zealand, informal),
fair to middling (informal),
meh (slang)
in the sense of method
Definition
a way of doing something, esp. a systematic or regular one
new teaching methods
Synonyms
manner,
process,
approach,
technique,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
rule,
programme,
style,
practice,
fashion,
scheme,
arrangement,
procedure,
routine,
mode,
modus operandi
in the sense of middling
Definition
moderate in size
a man of middling height
Synonyms
moderate,
medium,
average,
fair,
ordinary,
modest,
adequate,
bog-standard (British, Irish, slang)
in the sense of milieu
Definition
the social and cultural environment in which a person or thing exists
They stayed within their own social milieu.
Synonyms
surroundings,
setting,
scene,
environment,
element,
background,
location,
sphere,
locale,
mise en scène
in the sense of mode
Definition
a manner or way of doing, acting, or existing
the capitalist mode of production
Synonyms
method,
way,
plan,
course,
system,
form,
state,
process,
condition,
style,
approach,
quality,
practice,
fashion,
technique,
manner,
procedure,
custom,
vein
in the sense of organ
Definition
a means of communication, such as a newspaper issued by a specialist group or party
the People's Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Commmunist Party
Synonyms
newspaper,
paper,
medium,
voice,
agency (old-fashioned),
channel,
vehicle,
journal,
publication,
rag (informal),
gazette,
periodical,
mouthpiece
in the sense of setting
Definition
the scenery, properties, or background used to create the location for a stage play or film
The house is in a lovely setting in the hills.
Synonyms
surroundings,
site,
location,
set,
scene,
surround,
background,
frame,
context,
perspective,
backdrop,
scenery,
locale,
mise en scène
in the sense of vehicle
Definition
something used to achieve a particular purpose or as a means of expression
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.