Word
medium
Phoneticsmedi·um
US/ˈmidiəm/
UK/mˈiːdiəm/
Definitions
01communication/method
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a way of communicating information or a method used to achieve something.
n. a channel, agency, or means of expression through which information is conveyed or an objective is accomplished.
“Television is still a powerful medium for advertising new products.”
“Digital streaming has rapidly overtaken physical discs as the primary medium for consuming high-definition cinematic content.”
Pitfall
The internet is a great mediums for news.
The internet is a great medium for news.
The singular is 'medium'; the plural is 'media' or 'mediums'.
02art materials
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the materials an artist uses to create a work, such as oil paint, clay, or charcoal.
n. the specific material or technical means used by an artist to produce a work of art.
“Watercolour is a difficult medium to master because the paint dries so quickly.”
“The sculptor experimented with bronze as a medium before eventually settling on the more tactile qualities of carved marble.”
03clothing size
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. a size for clothes or other products that is between small and large.
n. an intermediate manufactured size, typically situated between small and large.
“I usually wear a medium, but this shirt looks a bit tight.”
“The retailer reported that medium remains their most frequently requested size across all seasonal apparel lines.”
Synonyms
04growth environment
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. a substance or environment in which something lives or grows.
n. a nutrient substance or surrounding environment used for the culture and growth of cells or organisms.
“The bacteria were grown in a liquid medium inside a warm incubator.”
“The laboratory developed a synthetic growth medium that allowed for the rapid cultivation of rare plant tissues without soil.”
Synonyms
05middle size/degree
B1 · Intermediate
adj. being in the middle between two extremes in size, amount, or quality.
adj. of intermediate size, degree, or amount; neither small nor large.
“He is of medium height and has brown hair.”
“The company targets medium-sized enterprises that require professional software but lack the budget of a multinational corporation.”
Synonyms
06cooked meat
B1 · Intermediate Cooking
adj. meat that is cooked so it is still slightly pink or red in the middle.
adj. referring to meat cooked to a degree between rare and well-done, typically retaining a pink centre.
“I would like my steak medium, please.”
“The chef recommends ordering the venison medium to ensure the meat remains tender while developing a rich, seared exterior.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “medium” in context.
Noun
01. communication medium
“Email is a very effective communication medium for professional messages.”
noun + noun
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin medium, neuter of medius (“middle”), from Proto-Italic meðjos, from Proto-Indo-European médʰyos (“between”). Compare middle. Doublet of mid, medio, media, and meson.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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