medal
Americannoun
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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.
-
a similar object bearing a religious image, as of a saint.
a Saint Christopher's medal.
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
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(tr) to honour with a medal
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informal (intr) (in sport) to win a medal
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
medalsimple
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medalssimple
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have medaledperfect
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have medalledperfect
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has medaledperfect
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has medalledperfect
-
am medalingprogressive
-
am medallingprogressive
-
are medalingprogressive
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are medallingprogressive
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is medalingprogressive
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is medallingprogressive
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have been medalingperfect progressive
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have been medallingperfect progressive
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has been medalingperfect progressive
-
has been medallingperfect progressive
Past
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medaledsimple
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medalledsimple
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had medaledperfect
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had medalledperfect
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was medalingprogressive
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was medallingprogressive
-
were medalingprogressive
-
were medallingprogressive
-
had been medalingperfect progressive
-
had been medallingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of medal
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
Explanation
A medal is an award for some contest or achievement. You might win a medal for coming in third place at the cupcake baking championship. A medal is often a flat piece of metal that's stamped with an inscription or design and is given in honor of winning a race, serving in battle, or another remarkable accomplishment. Scholars, athletes, and soldiers all might win medals. Originally, a medal was a "trinket," and it wasn't until the 18th century that it began to mean "reward for merit."
Vocabulary lists containing medal
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for July 31–August 6, 2021
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List 1
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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 17, she won a gold medal in speed climbing last week at the USU19 National Championship in Salt Lake City.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
The 1986 Games in Edinburgh had many sporting triumphs - including Liz McColgan's 10,000m gold medal.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
Near both the Peace Prize medal and the handprint are kid-friendly facsimiles that visitors can touch.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026
Shortly after graduating with a gold medal, Hockney had his first solo exhibition in Kasmin's gallery.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
They lost the Bendable Bookworm medal to the Northeast team after a fierce game of Dewey Decimal Twister.
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
