medal

[med-l]

noun

1. a flat piece of metal, often a disk but sometimes a cross, star, or other form, usually bearing an inscription or design, issued to commemorate a person, action, or event, or given as a reward for bravery, merit, or the like.

   a gold medal for the best swimmer.

2. a similar object bearing a religious image, as of a saint.

   a Saint Christopher's medal.

verb (used with object)

medaled, medaling , medalled, medalling .

1. to decorate or honor with a medal.

verb (used without object)

medaled, medaling , medalled, medalling .

1. to receive a medal, especially in a sporting event.

   He medaled in three of four races.

medal

/ mɪˈdælɪk, ˈmɛdəl /

noun

1. a small flat piece of metal bearing an inscription or image, given as an award or commemoration of some outstanding action, event, etc

verb

1. (tr) to honour with a medal

2. informal,  (intr) (in sport) to win a medal

Other Word Forms

• unmedaled adjective
• unmedalled adjective
• medallic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of medal¹

1580–90; earlier medaille < Middle French < Italian medaglia copper coin worth a halfpenny < Vulgar Latin *medalia, variant (by dissimilation) of Late Latin mediālia, noun use of neuter plural (taken as feminine singular) of mediālis medial

Word History and Origins

Origin of medal¹

C16: from French médaille, probably from Italian medaglia, ultimately from Latin metallum _metal

Example Sentences

The setting was the medal round of the 1980 Games in Lake Placid.

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Its athletes have won 862 medals at the Summer Games, which is more than most countries have won across all sports combined over more than a century.

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The Nobel Prize comes with a diploma, a gold medal and a $1.2 million prize sum.

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To be awarded posthumously, a relative must attend Buckingham Palace, where the King or another royal presents the medal in person.

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"I feel like winning an Earthshot prize for me would be like winning an Olympic gold medal," said Adam Root, the founder of Matter.

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Related Words

• gold 
• reward