mean
noun [ S ]
uk/miːn/ us MEASURES (also arithmetic mean)
the result you get by adding two or more amounts together and dividing the total by the number of amounts:
The mean of 5, 4, 10, and 15 is 8.5.
a quality or way of doing something that is in the middle of two completely different qualities or ways of doing something:
a mean between sth and sth This description doesn't give enough information, and this one is too long – we need to find a mean between the two.
mean
verb [ T ]
uk/miːn/ uspresent participle meant | past tense and past participle meantto express or represent something such as an idea, thought, or fact:
What does this word mean?
mean sth by sth What do you mean by 'rightsizing the department'?
to have a particular result:
Lower costs mean lower prices.
mean (that) Advances in electronics mean that the technology is already available.
mean doing sth If we increased our workforce, that would mean finding larger premises.
mean
adjective
uk/miːn/ us MEASURES
a mean number is the result you get by adding two or more amounts together and dividing the total by the number of amounts:
The mean weight of the crates is 76.4 kilos.
The table above shows the mean price per dozen of large grade A eggs.
unkind:
be mean to sb If she's ever mean to staff, she always apologizes afterwards.
not generous:
be mean with sth My boss is well known for being mean with money.