What Is the Plural of Medium?

The word medium has two common plurals: media and mediums. The correct choice depends entirely on the meaning you intend. Use media when referring to communication channels (news media, social media) or artistic materials (paint, clay). Use mediums when referring to spiritualists, people who claim to communicate with the dead, or in specific scientific contexts like microbiology (growth mediums).

Quick Answer

• Media = the standard plural for communication tools (TV, radio, internet) and art supplies.
• Mediums = the plural for people (psychics, spiritualists) and sometimes for specific scientific growth substances.
• Both are correct English. The meaning of the sentence decides which one to use.

Why Two Plurals Exist

English borrowed medium from Latin, where the plural was media. Over time, English speakers also created a regular plural, mediums, by adding -s. Today, both forms are accepted, but they have split into different areas of use. This is a common pattern in English: words from Latin often keep their original plural for formal or technical meanings, while gaining an English plural for everyday or newer uses.

When to Use “Media”

Media is the dominant plural in modern English. You will see it in news articles, business writing, academic work, and everyday conversation about communication.

Communication Channels

Use media when talking about television, radio, newspapers, the internet, and social platforms.

• The news media covered the election results extensively.
• Social media has changed how we share information.
• Multiple media were used to promote the event, including radio ads and online videos.

Artistic Materials

Use media when referring to the materials an artist works with, such as oil paint, watercolor, charcoal, or digital tools.

• She works in mixed media, combining paint and fabric.
• Oil and acrylic are two popular painting media.
• The gallery features artists who use unconventional media like recycled plastic.

Scientific and Technical Contexts

In science, media is the standard plural for substances used to grow bacteria or cells, or for the material that carries a signal or wave.

• The lab prepared several culture media for the experiment.
• Sound travels through different media, including air and water.

When to Use “Mediums”

Mediums is less common but perfectly correct in specific situations. It is the preferred plural when referring to people.

Spiritualists and Psychics

If you are talking about people who claim to communicate with spirits, always use mediums.

• Several mediums attended the spiritualist conference.
• She consulted two different mediums before making her decision.

Specific Scientific Growth Substances

In some scientific writing, especially when referring to individual types of growth medium, mediums appears. This is less common than media in science, but it is used when the writer wants to emphasize distinct, separate substances.

• The researchers tested three different growth mediums for the algae.

Everyday Objects (Rare but Possible)

When medium means a middle size or a specific size of an item, the plural is usually mediums.

• The store sells small, mediums, and large t-shirts. (This is informal and less common than saying “medium sizes.”)

Comparison Table: Media vs. Mediums

Natural Examples

These examples show how native speakers use both forms in real situations.

• Email context: “Please share the report through multiple media: email, the company intranet, and a brief video.”
• Conversation context: “I don’t trust those TV mediums. They seem fake to me.”
• Academic context: “The study compared different media for delivering educational content to students.”
• Art review: “The artist experiments with mixed media, including found objects and digital projections.”
• Spiritual context: “There are many mediums in the town who offer private sessions.”

Common Mistakes

Even advanced English learners sometimes confuse these forms. Here are the most frequent errors.

• Mistake: “I saw it on social mediums.”
  Correction: “I saw it on social media.” (Social media is always treated as a singular or mass noun; never use “mediums” here.)
• Mistake: “The news mediums are biased.”
  Correction: “The news media are biased.” (News media is the standard term.)
• Mistake: “She is one of the best media in the city.” (referring to a psychic)
  Correction: “She is one of the best mediums in the city.” (People are mediums, not media.)
• Mistake: “Oil and watercolor are two different painting mediums.”
  Correction: “Oil and watercolor are two different painting media.” (Art materials take media, though mediums is sometimes heard in casual speech.)

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes you can avoid the confusion entirely by choosing a different word. This is especially helpful in formal writing.

• Instead of “media” (for news): Use “news outlets,” “press,” “journalists,” or “broadcasters.” Example: “The press covered the story.”
• Instead of “media” (for art): Use “materials,” “techniques,” or “formats.” Example: “She works in several materials, including oil and charcoal.”
• Instead of “mediums” (for psychics): Use “spiritualists,” “psychics,” or “clairvoyants.” Example: “He visited a psychic for advice.”
• Instead of “mediums” (for sizes): Use “medium sizes” or “size medium.” Example: “We need more size medium shirts.”

Using these alternatives can make your writing clearer and more natural, especially if you are unsure which plural form is correct.

Mini Practice: Test Yourself

Choose the correct plural form for each sentence.

1. The news _____ (media / mediums) often focus on negative stories.
2. She consulted three different _____ (media / mediums) before the séance.
3. Watercolor and ink are two popular _____ (media / mediums) for illustration.
4. The lab ordered new growth _____ (media / mediums) for the bacteria cultures.

Answers

1. media (news media is the standard term)
2. mediums (referring to spiritualists)
3. media (art materials)
4. media (scientific growth substances; mediums is also possible but less common)

FAQ: Common Questions About the Plural of Medium

1. Is “media” singular or plural?

Strictly speaking, media is the plural of medium. However, in modern English, especially when referring to “the media” as an industry, it is often treated as a singular mass noun. For example: “The media is biased” is now widely accepted, though “The media are biased” is more traditional. In formal writing, many style guides still prefer the plural verb.

2. Can I use “mediums” for art materials?

Some native speakers do use mediums for art materials in casual conversation, but it is not standard. In art reviews, academic writing, and professional contexts, media is the correct choice. Stick with media for art to avoid sounding uneducated.

3. What about “multimedia”?

Multimedia is a fixed term that always uses the Latin plural. It refers to content that uses a combination of different media, such as text, audio, images, and video. You never say “multimediums.”

4. Is “medium” ever used as a plural?

No. Medium is always singular. Using it as a plural is a common error. For example, saying “I use several different medium” is incorrect. You must say “media” or “mediums.”

Final Tip for Learners

When in doubt, ask yourself: Am I talking about communication, art, or science? If yes, use media. Am I talking about a person who talks to spirits? If yes, use mediums. This simple rule will cover 95% of your usage. For the remaining cases, check a dictionary or use the alternative words suggested above. With practice, choosing the right plural will become automatic.

For more help with tricky plurals, visit our Common Plural Forms section. You can also check our FAQ for answers to other common questions. If you have a specific question, feel free to contact us. We follow strict guidelines; see our Editorial Policy for details.