plural mediums or media
ˈmē-dē-ə 
1
a
: 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
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
Ernest Newman
(4)
: something (such as a magnetic disk) on which information may be stored
b
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
Steve MillerApple's current keyboards can use the function keys … for alternate functions such as controlling volume, screen brightness, media playback …—Dan Frakes
Dan Frakes
c
: material or technical means of artistic expression (such as paint and canvas, sculptural stone, or literary or musical form)
d
plural mediums
: an individual held to be a channel of communication between the earthly world and a world of spirits
e(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
f
: go-between, intermediary
the medium of introduction was no doubt … the publisher—Richard Garnett
Richard Garnett3
a
: 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 1) structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)
c
: a liquid with which pigment is mixed by a painter
Is media singular or plural?: Usage Guide
The singular media and its plural medias seem to have originated in the field of advertising over 70 years ago; they are still so used without stigma in that specialized field. In most other applications media is used as a plural of medium. The popularity of the word in references to the agencies of mass communication is leading to the formation of a mass noun, construed as a singular.
there's no basis for it. You know, the news media gets on to something
—Edwin Meese 3d
Edwin Meese 3d
the media is less interested in the party's policies
—James Lewis, Guardian Weekly
James Lewis, Guardian Weekly
This use is not as well established as the mass-noun use of data and is likely to incur criticism especially in writing.
: intermediate in quantity, quality, position, size, or degree
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
Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Brandon Smith, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
For the event, Bieber retained her preferred nail shape, a medium-long almond, but swapped the creamier texture of her mani oeuvre in favor of a nearly translucent nail, with a frosty wash of the most delicate color where a white French tip would typically be.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for medium
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Supporters of Poland’s anti-choice Law and Justice party (PiS) have written to Gibson’s Icon Productions banner in protest of her casting, according to Variety, citing Polish media outlets.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Brandon Smith, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Without wiping Dutch oven clean, add onions; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until softened and beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
For the event, Bieber retained her preferred nail shape, a medium-long almond, but swapped the creamier texture of her mani oeuvre in favor of a nearly translucent nail, with a frosty wash of the most delicate color where a white French tip would typically be.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for medium
Cite this Entry
“Medium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medium. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
medium
1 of 2 noun
me·di·um
ˈmēd-ē-əm
plural mediums or media
ˈmēd- ē-ə
1
a
: something that is between or in the middle
b
: a middle condition or degree
2
: the thing by which or through which something is done
money is a medium of exchange
especially
: a substance through which a force acts or by which something is carried
air is the common medium of sound
3
plural usually media
: a form or system (as newspapers, radio, or television) of communication, information, or entertainment
4
plural mediums
: a person through whom others seek to communicate with the spirits of the dead
5
: a surrounding substance or condition : environment
marine fish live in a medium of salt water
6
plural media
a
: a nourishing system for the artificial cultivation of microorganisms (as bacteria) or cells
b
: a fluid or solid in which plant or animal parts are placed (as for mounting or preserving)
medium
2 of 2 adjective
: intermediate in amount, quality, position, or degree
Medical Definition
medium
noun
me·di·um
ˈmēd-ē-əm
plural mediums or media
-ē-ə
1
: a means of effecting or conveying something: as
a
: a substance regarded as the means of transmission of a force or effect
b
: a surrounding or enveloping substance
2
plural media
a
: a nutrient system for the artificial cultivation of cells or organisms and especially bacteria
b
: a fluid or solid in which organic structures are placed (as for preservation or mounting)
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