WordGarden.iomedium
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈiːdiəm/
US
- /ˈmidiəm/
Meanings
Adjective
of intermediate size, amount, degree, or strength
Noun
a means, format, or channel for communicating or expressing something
a material or technique used by an artist to make work
a person who claims to communicate with the spirits of the dead
More meaningsFewer meanings
a substance or surrounding material through which a wave, force, signal, or other physical effect passes
a prepared substance in which cells, tissues, or microorganisms are grown
Beyond the definition
Imagine Goldilocks testing the three bowls of porridge—not too hot, not too cold, but just right. That's a good way to think about "medium." It describes something that falls between extremes; it's neither large nor small, hot nor cold, light nor dark.
We use "medium" all the time. A medium-sized dog isn't tiny or huge; it's somewhere in the middle. If you order your steak "medium," you want it cooked more than rare but not all the way through. The word is also used for the way something is carried or shown, such as paint in art or television in communication. Sometimes, a "medium" can also mean a person who says they can communicate with spirits. The word comes from the Latin medius, meaning middle.
"Medium" is a versatile word describing something occupying a position in the middle of a range or scale. It signifies an average size, degree, or intensity, falling between two extremes. For example, a company might offer a "medium level of service," indicating it isn't basic but also not premium.
Beyond size and intensity, "medium" describes how something is expressed or conveyed. In art, the "medium" refers to the material an artist uses—oil paint, clay, or digital tools. In communication, a news "medium" could be television, radio, print, or the internet. It is important to note that the plural form for this usage is "media," a term we use daily to describe the press and social platforms.
As mentioned earlier, in spiritual contexts, a medium is someone believed to communicate with spirits of the dead. This usage highlights the idea of being a channel or conduit—a middle ground between the living and the departed.
So, whether you're describing size, quality, artistic materials, communication channels, or even spiritual connections, "medium" always points to something existing in between, occupying a balanced and central position.
Examples
- 1
Coffee size
I ordered a medium coffee and a bagel.
- 2
Clothing size
The shirt comes in small, medium, and large.
- 3
Cooking heat
Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 4
Room size
We need a medium-sized room for the meeting.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Business planning
The company is looking for a medium-term solution, not just a quick fix.
- 6
Formal communication
Email is still the best medium for sending formal updates.
- Patterna medium for + message/content
a way to communicate or present it
- 7
Art materials
Watercolor was her favorite medium at art school.
- 8
Compromise
We finally found a happy medium between comfort and price.
- Phrasea happy medium
a reasonable choice between two extremes
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mediumnounadjective
Forms
- mediapluralnounadjective
- mediumspluralnounadjective