Etymology
Origin of medalist
1965–70; < French médailliste < Italian medaglista. See medal, -ist
Explanation
If you win a commemorative metal disk in a sports competition, you can call yourself a medalist. Win first place in an Olympic event and you'll be a gold medalist! Back in the 1750s, a medalist was a person who made medals from metal — a particular kind of metalsmith. By the end of the 18th century, the word was also used for someone who received or won a medal, and that's since become the more common definition. If you want to be a medalist, you'll need to practice your skills at the high jump, start a heroic military career, or become a champion speller.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At a July tournament on the Srixon Medalist Tour for up-and-coming golfers in South Florida, Trump finished tied for third, shooting both rounds in the 70s.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
“I was fairly confident that despite all my failed math courses in my undergrad transcript, I had an enthusiastic letter from a Fields Medalist, so I would be accepted from many, many grad schools.”
From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2022
Woods was seen playing at The Medalist near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida, over the weekend.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2022
He was videoed playing in the company of his caddie Joe LaCava at the Medalist Golf Club in Florida last weekend.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2022
Cracking the pen furiously on the edge of his desk, Ignatius picked up one of the Venus Medalist pencils lying on the floor.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
