medium

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmiːdɪəm/

noun (plural media or mediums)

  • 1an agency or means of doing something: using the latest technology as a medium for job creation their primitive valuables acted as a medium of exchange
  • a means by which something is communicated or expressed: here the Welsh language is the medium of instruction
  • 2the intervening substance through which sensory impressions are conveyed or physical forces are transmitted: radio communication needs no physical medium between the two stations
  • the substance in which an organism lives or is cultured: these cells are grown in a nutrient-rich medium
  • a liquid (e.g. oil or water) with which pigments are mixed, with a binder, to make paint.
  • 3a particular form of storage material for computer files, such as magnetic tape or discs.
  • 4the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer: oil paint is the most popular medium for glazing
  • 5 (plural mediums) a person claiming to be in contact with the spirits of the dead and to communicate between the dead and the living.
  • 6the middle quality or state between two extremes; a reasonable balance: the song soon discovers a happy medium between thrash and catchy pop

adjective

  • halfway between two extremes of size, amount, length, etc.; average: John is six feet tall, of medium build plan for the medium term
  • Cricket (of bowling or a bowler) of a pace intermediate between fast and slow bowling: Tate had early developed into a fast medium bowler

Derivatives

mediumism

noun
medium (sense 5 of the noun)

mediumistic

Pronunciation: /-ˈmɪstɪk/
adjective
medium (sense 5 of the noun)

mediumship

noun
medium (sense 5 of the noun)

Origin:

late 16th century (originally denoting something intermediate in nature or degree): from Latin, literally 'middle', neuter of medius