mass medium

noun

plural mass media
: a form of communication (such as newspapers, radio, television, or the Internet) that is designed to reach many people
Television emerged as a mass medium during the 1950s, just in time to help fuel early Cold War hysteria.—Joel Mathis
—usually used in plural
contemporary mass media
Even in an age of mass media and digital outreach, U.S. presidents are estimated to shake hands with some 65,000 people a year.—Megan Garber
He witnessed tremendous technological changes in his lifetime, from mass media to transportation, plastics, computers and fast food.—Marshall Button

Examples of mass medium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At the dawn of the mass media age, Morès already interpreted politics as an art of communication. — Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026 Television defined the last half of the twentieth century, outperforming all other mass media combined. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 To spread its message, PETA didn’t just rely on the mass media but embraced any medium available, often with strategies that were ahead of its time. — Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024 Representation matters in mass media, and tribal members from Wisconsin are continuing to ensure that Indigenous peoples are seen and heard on big and small screens this year. — Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for mass medium

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mass medium was in 1923

Rhymes for mass medium

See All Rhymes for mass medium

Browse Nearby Words

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mass medium
mass meeting
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Cite this Entry

“Mass medium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mass%20medium. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mass medium

noun
plural mass media
: a medium of communication (as newspapers, radio, or television) that is designed to reach many people
—usually used in plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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