médium

Médium is a masculine noun in French meaning medium, intermediary, or means of transmission. It derives from the Latin medium and shares a common root with the English word medium. The term is used across different fields to denote a channel, substance, or method that connects or conveys something from one state to another.

In science and technology, a médium can refer to a substance or environment that supports transmission or growth. For example, a growth médium (milieu de culture) is a nutrient solution used to cultivate microorganisms. In physics and related fields, a medium is the material through which waves propagate, such as light, sound, or electromagnetic signals, and it governs properties like speed and attenuation.

In the arts, the médium denotes the material or method used to create a work. This can be painting (oil or acrylic), sculpture (stone, metal), photography, film, or other creative processes. The choice of médium influences the texture, technique, and expressive possibilities of the artwork.

In parapsychology and spiritualism, a médium is a person who claims to communicate with spirits or to convey information from the beyond. This sense emphasizes intermediary contact between the living and other entities, and it is distinct from the scientific or artistic uses of the term.

In everyday language, the English concept of medium as a conduit or intermediary is often translated by médium in French, while the plural formation and specific uses can vary by domain.