medal

American  

[med-l] / ˈmɛd 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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to honour with a medal

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

Other Word Forms

• medallic
  adjective
• unmedaled
  adjective
• unmedalled
  adjective

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."

Example Sentences

Warsaw holds the gold medal for North Atlantic Treaty Organization defense spending—4.3% of its economy, according to NATO’s count.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Wearing her Olympic medal around her neck, Brown addressed the student body at the mural ceremony and became emotional while talking about the hardships she overcame while attending the school.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Vonn had been tipped to win a medal at her fifth and final Olympics, and competed despite suffering the ACL injury in Switzerland in the last World Cup race before the Games.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

He said when Sergio gets his sixth major medal, "I'll be the first one to clap".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The French awarded the doughty little pigeon their Croix de Guerre medal for bravery under fire.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• gold
• reward