medal

[med-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.

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

/ 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

verb

1. (tr) to honour with a medal

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

Other Word Forms

• unmedaled adjective
• unmedalled adjective
• medallic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of medal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of medal¹

C16: from French médaille, probably from Italian medaglia, ultimately from Latin metallum _metal

Example Sentences

The Nobel economics prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and a $1.2 million cheque.

Read more on Barron's

The women-only meet packed Icahn Stadium in its second year, bringing a party atmosphere to traditional track, with live music and Tiffany & Co. crowns replacing traditional winners' medals.

Read more on BBC

Canadian star Summer McIntosh, who won four gold medals and a bronze at the World Championships, withdrew from the meeting because of illness.

Read more on Barron's

In 2021, she became the first woman to be awarded the Robert N. Noyce medal, considered the Nobel Prize of microelectronics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dutch superstar Bol, 25, who successfully defended her world title in Tokyo in September, has also won bronze medals at the past two Olympics in that discipline.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gold 
• reward