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.
A Paralympic gold medalist said the rule addresses safety as well as people’s dignity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2026
She is also a two-time gold medalist and formerly coached at Pepperdine before taking over at Old Dominion.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
The Olympic boxing gold medalist turned professional world champion said the reforms "align directly" with Zuffa Boxing, a recently launched Saudi-owned boxing promoter that is a joint venture with UFC's parent company TKO Group Holdings.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
Sharapova, an Olympic medalist and five-time Grand Slam winner, retired from the professional tennis circuit in 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
I beat some tough fencers, including 2008 Olympic gold medalist Olga Zhovnir from Ukraine and Yaqi Shao from China.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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.
