midrange

IPA/mˈɪdɹeɪndʒ/
KK[mˈɪdrˌendʒ]IPA/mˈɪdrˌeɪndʒ/

midrange — noun

1. a set of values, sizes, or amounts that fall between the low and high extremes r

1.nounB2
Definition

a set of values, sizes, or amounts that fall between the low and high extremes rather than at either end.

Example

The midrange of hiking trail lengths at the park is between three and eight kilometres.

collocation: the midrange of [noun]

Élise chose a laptop from the midrange, not the cheapest or the most expensive.

article usage: the midrange

Common collocations
  • the midrange of something
  • fall into the midrange
  • in the midrange
  • low, midrange, and high
Synonyms
  • middle range

    more descriptive but less compact; used in the same contexts

  • medium range

    interchangeable; 'medium-range' is common as an adjective

  • moderate range

    emphasises that the values are not extreme

Antonyms
  • low end

    the set of smallest or cheapest values

  • high end

    the set of largest or most expensive values

Grammar Patterns

the midrange of [plural noun]

Usage Note

This sense refers to a span or set of moderate values, not a single middle point — distinguish from sense 2 (MIDPOINT) which names the exact centre.

Common Mistakes

The midrange of the temperature was 22°C' (when you mean the average).
The midrange of temperatures fell between 18°C and 26°C.
sense 1 describes a span, not a single calculated value; for the average use sense 4.

2. the exact central point or moment within any measured span — for example, the ha

2.nounB2
Definition

the exact central point or moment within any measured span — for example, the halfway mark of a journey in kilometres or the middle of a period in hours.

Example

When they reached the midrange of their road trip, the family had driven about six hundred kilometres.

preposition: at / reach the midrange of

The midrange of the project fell in late October, halfway between the start and finish dates.

Common collocations
  • the midrange of a trip / journey / project
  • at the midrange
  • reach the midrange
  • calculate the midrange
Synonyms
  • midpoint

    the most common synonym; preferred in everyday and technical writing

  • center

    more general; 'centre' in British English

  • halfway point

    informal but clear; emphasises the equal-distance idea

Antonyms
  • start

    the beginning of the distance or time period

  • end

    the finish of the distance or time period

Grammar Patterns

the midrange of [distance/time period]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1 (MEDIUM SPAN), which describes a set of values, this sense names a single point in time or space. The object of 'of' is the full span being bisected.

Common Mistakes

The midrange of prices was $50' (meaning a middle-priced item).
The midrange of the trip was Wednesday, halfway through the week.
for prices use sense 1; for a single middle point in a sequence use sense 2.

3. the band of sound frequencies between low bass and high treble — roughly the ran

3.nounB2
Definition

the band of sound frequencies between low bass and high treble — roughly the range of human speech and melody instruments — that gives voices and instruments their most natural sound.

Example

Hyun boosted the midrange on the equalizer so the guitar stood out in the mix.

verb collocation: boost / adjust the midrange

This speaker has excellent midrange reproduction, making voices and acoustic instruments sound natural.

collocation: midrange reproduction

Common collocations
  • boost the midrange
  • balanced midrange
  • midrange frequencies
  • midrange reproduction
  • lows, midrange, and highs
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • bass

    the low end of the audible frequency spectrum

  • treble

    the high end of the audible frequency spectrum

Grammar Patterns

the midrange

Usage Note

Common in audio engineering, music production, and consumer electronics reviews. Often contrasted with 'bass' (low frequencies) and 'treble' (high frequencies). As an uncountable noun ('the midrange'), it refers to the frequency region as a whole.

Common Mistakes

The midrange of the song was too loud' (vague).
The midrange frequencies in this recording are too prominent, making the vocals harsh.
be specific about whether you mean the frequency region or a specific instrument's range.

4. in statistics, a simple measure of central tendency calculated by adding togethe

4.nounC1
Definition

in statistics, a simple measure of central tendency calculated by adding together the smallest and largest numbers in a data set and then dividing by two.

Example

Andrew calculated the midrange by adding the lowest score of twelve and the highest of ninety-eight, then dividing by two.

pattern: calculate the midrange by [verb + ing]

The midrange gives a quick estimate of the centre but ignores values between the extremes.

Common collocations
  • calculate the midrange
  • the midrange of a data set
  • midrange vs. mean / median
  • the midrange is sensitive to outliers
Synonyms
  • midpoint

    sometimes used interchangeably in informal statistics, but 'midrange' is the precise term

Grammar Patterns

the midrange of [data set]

Usage Note

A specialised statistical term. The midrange is sensitive to outliers (unusual extreme values) and is much less commonly used than the mean or median. Frequently appears in textbook examples alongside 'range'.

Common Mistakes

The midrange of the test scores was 65, calculated by averaging all the numbers.
The midrange of the test scores was 65, calculated by averaging only the highest and lowest scores.
midrange uses only two values (min and max), not the full data set unlike the mean.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/3

In audio contexts, these three terms divide the audible frequency spectrum. 'Midrange' (roughly 250–2000 Hz) carries the bulk of speech and melody, making it the most critical band for clarity and natural sound. 'Bass' (roughly 20–250 Hz) provides weight, rhythm, and the low rumble of drums or bass guitars. 'Treble' (roughly 2000–20000 Hz) adds brightness, sparkle, and detail from cymbals, strings, and sibilant sounds. A speaker with a 'boosted midrange' makes vocals more forward and intelligible, while 'boosted bass' can make music feel fuller but may muddy the midrange. In product reviews, 'balanced midrange' is a compliment — it means no frequency band overpowers the others.

midrange ↗bass ↗treble ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • low, midrange, and high
  • fall into the midrange
  • at the midrange of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchFrankishEnglish

'Midrange' is a compound of 'mid-' (meaning middle) and 'range' (a span or scope). 'Mid-' comes from Old English 'mid' (middle), related to Latin 'medius'. 'Range' entered English from Old French 'range' (row, rank), which itself came from Frankish '*hring' (ring, circle). The noun form has been used since the late 19th century, first in general measurement contexts and later in specialised fields such as statistics and audio engineering.