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)

, med·aled, med·al·ing or (especially British) med·alled, med·al·ling.

1. to decorate or honor with a medal.

verb (used without object)

, med·aled, med·al·ing or (especially British) med·alled, med·al·ling.

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

Derived Forms

• medallic, adjective

Other Words From

• un·medaled adjective
• un·medalled 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

Deignan looks back fondly on her achievements, keeping many of her medals in a wooden box at home, along with the famous cobble trophy from Roubaix on the mantlepiece.

From BBC

She made her Paralympic debut in 2004 in Athens aged 16 and despite being the youngest member of the GB team in Greece came away with an individual bronze medal.

From BBC

One of the country's most decorated Olympians, he won six gold medals across four Games.

From BBC

The former professional boxer from Ireland won the gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canada when he was 18.

From BBC

Among her individual honours, Williams won European and Commonwealth 200m silvers among nine major international medals at senior level.

From BBC

Related Words

• gold
• reward