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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Sharapova, an Olympic medalist and five-time Grand Slam winner, retired from the professional tennis circuit in 2020.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
An Olympic gold medalist long before reality TV fame, Jenner reentered public consciousness through a show about nothing.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 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
As the gold medalist, I was the last to go up.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
