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.
Words nearby media
medellín,
medevac,
medfield,
medfly,
medford,
media,
media atropatene,
media center,
media event,
media literacy,
mediacy
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.
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
- a consonant whose articulation lies midway between that of a voiced and breathed speech sound
- 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
[ mē′dē-əm ]
n. pl. me•di•ums
adj.
Occurring or being between two degrees, amounts, or quantities; intermediate.
Scientific definitions for media
medium
[ mē′dē-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.