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.
Olympic gold medalist Remco Evenepoel’s unique build and obsession with optimizing equipment have turned him into a favorite at this week’s road cycling world championships.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026
This year’s lineup includes everyone from Hollywood veterans to reality TV favorites and an Olympic gold medalist.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026
Suzanne Lenglen, an Olympic gold medalist and winner of eight Grand Slam tournaments in singles, was the first to shed the garden-party attire.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The 2021 bronze medalist primarily works with second to fourth-graders, with a significant number coming from the L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
I knew that Katelyn trained with Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Olympic all-around gold medalist, at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Plano, just outside of Dallas.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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