The word 媒体 is formed by combining two meaningful characters: 媒 (méi), which carries the ancient meaning of an intermediary or go-between that facilitates a connection, and 体 (tǐ), which means a body, entity, or form. When fused, they create a conceptual compound meaning "intermediary entity" or "the medium/body that is in the middle", perfectly encapsulating the modern concept of "media" as the channels or institutions that stand between and connect sources of information and the public.