medallion

American  

[muh-dal-yuhn] / məˈdæl yən /

noun

1. a large medal.

2. anything resembling a medal in form, used as an ornament, in a design, etc.

3. a permit issued by a governmental agency to operate a taxicab, usually represented by a small metal identification disk displayed on the taxi.

4. Architecture.

   1. a tablet, usually rounded, often bearing objects represented in relief.

   2. a member in a decorative design resembling a panel.

5. médaillon.

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medallion British  

/ mɪˈdæljən /

noun

1. a large medal

2. an oval or circular decorative device resembling a medal, usually bearing a portrait or relief moulding, used in architecture and textile design

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Etymology

Origin of medallion

1650–60; < French médaillon < Italian medaglione, augmentative of medaglia medal

Example Sentences

She’s got a beaded tag that says Sandy June’s Legendary Grandparent and a massive beadwork medallion necklace that says Cleo.

From Literature

The gate is adorned with a sculpted round medallion of Oseguera’s trademark, two roosters.

From The Wall Street Journal

As if to underline the point, he wore a medallion around his neck featuring NBC’s peacock logo.

From The Wall Street Journal

The medallion’s front depicts a uniformed officer standing tall with a rifle by his side, surrounded by armed soldiers on all flanks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Zhao, a woman sporting an intricately carved gold medallion on a necklace of jade beads and shimmering bangles on her wrist, brought her late grandfather's ring to the recycling machine.

From Barron's

Related Words

• emblem
• jewelry
• necklace