# Media

/ˈmidiə/ (US) · /mˈiːdiːɐ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/media
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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. In computing, media refers to the physical materials used to store data, such as hard drives, memory cards, or discs.

For teachers: 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. In computing and electronics, media refers to the physical objects or storage devices used to hold digital data, including magnetic disks and optical storage.

## Examples

- The media reports on the election results.
- Social media has changed how young people consume news compared to traditional print media.
- The candidate accused the media of bias, claiming that the coverage focused on personal scandals rather than substantive policy debates.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the medias" but "the media" — Learners often add an 's' to make it plural, but 'media' is already the plural form of 'medium' and functions as a collective noun.

## Usage notes

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.