Dictionary

1media

noun me·dia \ˈmē-dē-ə\
plural me·di·ae \-dē-ˌē\

Definition of MEDIA

1
[Late Latin, from Latin, feminine of medius; from the voiced stops' being regarded as intermediate between the tenues and the aspirates] :  a voiced stop
2
[New Latin, from Latin] :  the middle coat of the wall of a blood or lymph vessel consisting chiefly of circular muscle fibers
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First Known Use of MEDIA

1841

Rhymes with MEDIA

2media

noun, often attributive
plural me·di·as

Definition of MEDIA

1
:  a medium of cultivation, conveyance, or expression; especially :  medium 2b
2
a singular or plural in construction :  mass media
b plural :  members of the mass media

Usage Discussion of MEDIA

The singular media and its plural medias seem to have originated in the field of advertising over 70 years ago; they are still so used without stigma in that specialized field. In most other applications media is used as a plural of medium. The popularity of the word in references to the agencies of mass communication is leading to the formation of a mass noun, construed as a singular <there's no basis for it. You know, the news media gets on to something — Edwin Meese 3d> <the media is less interested in the party's policies — James Lewis, Guardian Weekly>. This use is not as well established as the mass-noun use of data and is likely to incur criticism especially in writing.

Origin of MEDIA

plural of medium
First Known Use: 1923

Other Broadcasting Terms

continuity, dissolve, fade, feed, remote, residual, spike, wipe

Media

geographical name Me·dia \ˈmē-dē-ə\

Definition of MEDIA

ancient country & province of Persian Empire SW Asia in NW modern Iran
Me·di·an \-dē-ən\ adjective or noun

Rhymes with MEDIA

MEDIAS Defined for Kids

media

noun me·dia \ˈmē-dē-ə\

Definition of MEDIA for Kids

:  the system and organizations of communication through which information is spread to a large number of people Hint:Media can be used as a singular or a plural in writing and speaking.

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