medium
- 01 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“Television is still a powerful medium for advertising new products.”
In context“Digital streaming has rapidly overtaken physical discs as the primary medium for consuming high-definition cinematic content.”
PitfallThe 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'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“Watercolour is a difficult medium to master because the paint dries so quickly.”
In context“The sculptor experimented with bronze as a medium before eventually settling on the more tactile qualities of carved marble.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
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.
Simple“I usually wear a medium, but this shirt looks a bit tight.”
In context“The retailer reported that medium remains their most frequently requested size across all seasonal apparel lines.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The bacteria were grown in a liquid medium inside a warm incubator.”
In context“The laboratory developed a synthetic growth medium that allowed for the rapid cultivation of rare plant tissues without soil.”
Synonyms - 05 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.
Simple“He is of medium height and has brown hair.”
In context“The company targets medium-sized enterprises that require professional software but lack the budget of a multinational corporation.”
- 06 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“I would like my steak medium, please.”
In context“The chef recommends ordering the venison medium to ensure the meat remains tender while developing a rich, seared exterior.”
Usage communication medium
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.