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

Still, stripping Keller of his medals seems like, at best, a long shot.

From Time

Earlier this year, the Climate Action Campaign gave San Diego a “silver” on the Olympic medal scale in terms of how well t did on the old.

From Voice of San Diego

An American athlete hadn’t earned a medal of any color in the 10,000 meters since the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan—22 years before Rupp was born.

From Fortune

They earn up to seven points per problem, and top scorers take home medals, just like at the Olympic Games.

From Quanta Magazine

In an FKT attempt, there are no bibs, no crowds and no medals.

From FiveThirtyEight

He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush.

From The Daily Beast

It was, I have to say, at the bottom of the hierarchy of royal honors, a British Empire Medal.

From The Daily Beast

Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, took the stage, flanked by a woman holding a trophy and a medal.

From The Daily Beast

Even without a Fields Medal, Maryam is one of the great mathematicians of our time.

From The Daily Beast

That same year, Clinton awarded Brady the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award given to civilians.

From The Daily Beast

This was shown at the Paris Salon, 1889, and missed the gold medal by two votes.

From Project Gutenberg

For his services on the Nive as commander of the first brigade of guards, he received a medal.

From Project Gutenberg

Adamov left the school with a gold medal and rose rapidly to a high place in the Ministry of Justice.

From Project Gutenberg

Martin Falleix obtained a brevet for invention and a gold medal at the Exposition of 1824.

From Project Gutenberg

I managed to obtain the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the bugler who always accompanies me everywhere on my peregrinations.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gold
• reward