mediacy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very Low Frequency / AcademicFormal / Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “mediacy” mean?
The state or quality of being an intermediate agency or means.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being an intermediate agency or means; intervention.
In communication theory, the property of media (communication channels) to convey meaning or information; the state of being mediated rather than direct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both British and American English, confined almost exclusively to academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mediacy” in a Sentence
the mediacy of [medium/process] (e.g., the mediacy of television)[adjective] mediacy (e.g., technological mediacy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in media studies, communication theory, philosophy, and sociology to discuss how mediums affect communication.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in specialised discourse about media and communication systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mediacy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mediacy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mediacy”
- Using it to mean 'mediocrity.'
- Attempting to use it in everyday conversation where 'mediation' or simpler terms would be appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'mediocracy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare, formal, and academic word. Most native speakers will never encounter or use it.
'Mediation' refers to the active process or act of intervening to resolve a dispute or facilitate communication. 'Mediacy' is a more abstract noun referring to the state, quality, or property of being a medium or being indirect.
Primarily in media studies, communication theory, philosophy of language, and sociology. It is a technical term in these disciplines.
Almost never. In business, related concepts would be expressed with words like 'mediation', 'intermediary role', or 'channel effectiveness'.
The state or quality of being an intermediate agency or means.
Mediacy is usually formal / academic / technical in register.
Mediacy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiː.di.ə.si/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiː.di.ə.si/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this rare word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MEDIA-cy' – the state or quality of the MEDIA (or any medium) being in between the source and the receiver.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A CHANNEL (focusing on the properties of the channel itself).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary antonym of 'mediacy'?