Mode

1. A term used to describe the current situation of a software program or hardware device. For example, a display adapter may have the capability of being either in graphic mode or text mode. If the video card was in graphic mode the resolution capability may be lower but the display device could also display graphics. However, in text mode the resolution may be higher but only be capable of displaying text. 
2. The name given to the most common value out of a series of different values. For example, one is the mode of: 1,2,3,1,2,1,4.

Also see: Average, Median, Safe mode