mass media: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal, Academic, Journalistic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “mass media” mean?
The main means of mass communication, especially newspapers, television, and radio, regarded collectively.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The main means of mass communication, especially newspapers, television, and radio, regarded collectively.
The large-scale, one-to-many dissemination of information and entertainment to the public via various channels, including traditional forms like print and broadcast, as well as digital platforms like news websites and social networks, that influence public opinion and culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally common and identically used.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both regions. Slightly academic/journalistic tone.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with perhaps slightly higher usage in US political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mass media” in a Sentence
N of mass mediaV + mass media (e.g., control the mass media)ADJ + mass media (e.g., mainstream mass media)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mass media” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The story was mass-mediated across the nation.
- Politicians often attempt to mass media their message.
American English
- The event was mass-mediated to a global audience.
- They hired a firm to mass-media the campaign.
adverb
British English
- The news spread mass-media quickly.
American English
- The story was distributed mass-media wide.
adjective
British English
- She is a mass-media sociologist.
- The mass-media landscape is changing rapidly.
American English
- He studies mass-media effects.
- It was a massive mass-media event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to channels for advertising, marketing, and corporate communications.
Academic
Studied in sociology, communications, and political science for its societal impact.
Everyday
Used to discuss news sources, bias, and public perception.
Technical
In communications theory, refers to large-scale, one-to-many transmission models.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mass media”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mass media”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mass media”
- Using as a plural countable noun (e.g., 'many mass medias' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'massmedia' (one word) or 'mass-media' (with hyphen).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually treated as a singular collective noun (e.g., The mass media is powerful). In some academic contexts, it may be treated as plural when referring to individual outlets.
'Media' is a broader term encompassing all means of communication. 'Mass media' specifically refers to media intended to reach a very large, general audience (the masses).
Yes, major platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter), and YouTube are now widely considered part of the mass media due to their massive reach and role in news dissemination, though the term traditionally referred to print and broadcast.
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., mass media industry, mass media influence). The hyphenated form 'mass-media' is also sometimes used in this role.
The main means of mass communication, especially newspapers, television, and radio, regarded collectively.
Mass media is usually formal, academic, journalistic, technical in register.
Mass media: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmæs ˈmiː.di.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmæs ˈmiː.di.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mass media circus”
- “mass media frenzy”
- “trial by mass media”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MASSive audience + MEDIA channels = MASS MEDIA.
Conceptual Metaphor
The mass media is a LENS (through which we see the world). The mass media is a MEGAPHONE (amplifying messages).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically considered part of the 'mass media'?