medalist

American  

[med-l-ist] / ˈmɛd l ɪst /

especially British, medallist

noun

1. a person to whom a medal has been awarded.

2. (in a golf tournament) the player having the lowest score in a qualifying round scored by strokes.

3. a designer, engraver, or maker of medals.

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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

Kenny Bednarek, the silver medalist in the 200 meters in Paris, will line up in the 100 meters against Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who took gold in the 200 in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 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

Meanwhile Team GB's four-time Olympic medalist Elinor Barker almost quit cycling because she was in too much pain to even sit on a bike.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

U.S. figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu recently revealed that the correct pronunciation of her name is “uh-LEE-suh LEE-oh”.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

I was young and inexperienced, and my coach was an Olympic medalist.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• challenger
• champ
• defender
• hero
• number one
• winner