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.
Professional marathoners like 2020 bronze medalist Molly Seidel and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden, who have moved from road racing to trail running, are leading the charge.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 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
“You have two gold medalist teams just hanging out before we’re going back to our respective cities. And it was just great to hear their experience.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 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
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.
