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

Example Sentences

At Milan Cortina, Italy’s Winter Olympians produced their best ever medal haul to finish behind only powerhouses Norway and Team USA.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Wilson competed at the 2024 Olympic Games as a 16-year-old running a leg in the qualifying for the 4x400 relay and earning a gold medal when the team won in the finals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

The British pair, who won bronze at last year's World Championships, missed out on a medal at the Winter Olympics last month because of a costly mistake in their free dance routine.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Earlier, US star Ilia Malinin won a third straight men's gold as he bounced back from missing out on an Olympic medal last month when he fell twice in the free skate.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Later that evening, as I waited with the other winners to be called to the podium for the medal ceremony, I thought about all the upheaval and change I’d just been through.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• gold
• reward