media

1
[ mee-dee-uh ]
/ ˈmi di ə /

noun

a plural of medium.
(usually used with a plural verb) the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, magazines, and the Internet, that reach or influence people widely: The media are covering the speech tonight.

adjective

pertaining to or concerned with such means: a job in media research.

usage note for media

Media, like data, is the plural form of a word borrowed directly from Latin. The singular, medium, early developed the meaning “an intervening agency, means, or instrument” and was first applied to newspapers two centuries ago. In the 1920s media began to appear as a singular collective noun, sometimes with the plural medias. This singular use is now common in the fields of mass communication and advertising, but it is not frequently found outside them: The media is (or are ) not antibusiness.

Definition for media (2 of 4)

media 2
[ mee-dee-uh ]
/ ˈmi di ə /

noun, plural me·di·ae [mee-dee-ee] /ˈmi diˌi/.

Greek Grammar. a voiced plosive, as β, δ, γ.
Anatomy. the middle layer of an artery or lymphatic vessel.
Entomology. a longitudinal vein in the middle portion of the wing of an insect.

Origin of media

2
1835–45; < Late Latin (grammar sense only), noun use of feminine singular of Latin medius central, mid1

Definition for media (3 of 4)

Media
[ mee-dee-uh ]
/ ˈmi di ə /

noun

an ancient country in W Asia, S of the Caspian Sea, corresponding generally to NW Iran. Capital: Ecbatana.

Definition for media (4 of 4)

medium
[ mee-dee-uhm ]
/ ˈmi di əm /

noun, plural me·di·a [mee-dee-uh] /ˈmi di ə/ for 1–9, 11, me·di·ums for 1–11, 14.

adjective

about halfway between extremes, as of degree, amount, quality, position, or size: Cook over medium heat. He is of medium height.

Origin of medium

1575–85; < Latin: the middle, noun use of neuter of medius middle. See mid1

usage note for medium

7. See media1.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH medium

media median medium mediums (see usage note at media1)

Example sentences from the Web for media

British Dictionary definitions for media (1 of 4)

media 1
/ (ˈmiːdɪə) /

noun

a plural of medium
the means of communication that reach large numbers of people, such as television, newspapers, and radio

adjective

of or relating to the mass media media hype

usage for media

When media refers to the mass media, it is sometimes treated as a singular form, as in: the media has shown great interest in these events. Many people think this use is incorrect and that media should always be treated as a plural form: the media have shown great interest in these events

British Dictionary definitions for media (2 of 4)

media 2
/ (ˈmɛdɪə) /

noun plural -diae (-dɪˌiː)

the middle layer of the wall of a blood or lymph vessel
one of the main veins in the wing of an insect
phonetics
  1. a consonant whose articulation lies midway between that of a voiced and breathed speech sound
  2. a consonant pronounced with weak voice, as c in French second

Word Origin for media

C19: from Latin medius middle

British Dictionary definitions for media (3 of 4)

Media
/ (ˈmiːdɪə) /

noun

an ancient country of SW Asia, south of the Caspian Sea: inhabited by the Medes; overthrew the Assyrian Empire in 612 bc in alliance with Babylonia; conquered by Cyrus the Great in 550 bc; corresponds to present-day NW Iran

British Dictionary definitions for media (4 of 4)

medium
/ (ˈmiːdɪəm) /

adjective

midway between extremes; average a medium size
(of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a moderate amount of light a medium red Compare light 1 (def. 29), dark (def. 2)

noun plural -dia (-dɪə) or -diums

See also mediums

Word Origin for medium

C16: from Latin: neuter singular of medius middle

undefined medium

See media 1

Medical definitions for media

medium
[ mēdē-əm ]

n. pl. me•di•ums

adj.

Occurring or being between two degrees, amounts, or quantities; intermediate.

Scientific definitions for media

medium
[ mēdē-əm ]

Plural media

A substance, such as agar, in which bacteria or other microorganisms are grown for scientific purposes.
A substance that makes possible the transfer of energy from one location to another, especially through waves. For example, matter of sufficient density can be a medium for sound waves, which transfer mechanical energy. See more at wave.

Idioms and Phrases with media

medium

see happy medium.