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media

n. C / U
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈmidiə// UK //mˈiːdiːɐ// me·dia Academic Archaic Dialect General-service

n. the different ways people get information and entertainment, like TV, newspapers, and the internet. You use this word to talk about the groups that report the news.

n. the collective communication outlets or tools used to store and deliver information or data. Often used to refer specifically to mass media organizations such as news agencies and broadcasting companies.


SIMPLE

The media reports on the election results.

CONTEXTUAL

Social media has changed how young people consume news compared to traditional print media.

COMPLEX

The candidate accused the media of bias, claiming that the coverage focused on personal scandals rather than substantive policy debates.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin Mēdia, from Ancient Greek Μηδία (Mēdía), from Μῆδος (Mêdos), from Mada (vocalization uncertain), the Old Median language self-designator signifying speakers of the Median language. Compare Old Persian 𐎶𐎠𐎭 (Māda). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European médʰyos (“middle”) i.e. central kingdom, cognate with Sanskrit मध्य (mádhya).

Usage

Technically the plural of 'medium', but frequently used as a collective singular noun in modern English; both 'the media is' and 'the media are' are acceptable.

Pitfall

the mediasthe mediaLearners often add an 's' to make it plural, but 'media' is already the plural form of 'medium' and functions as a collective noun.

Idioms3 entries

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