medalist

American  

[med-l-ist] / ˈmɛd l ɪst /

especially British, medallist

noun

1. a person to whom a medal has been awarded.

2. (in a golf tournament) the player having the lowest score in a qualifying round scored by strokes.

3. a designer, engraver, or maker of medals.

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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

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

The challenge to do better now falls to Colón’s successor, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter hurdles.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026

“As a fan, you’re like, ‘Don’t do this to me,’” Joey Cheek, a former American gold medalist, said before the Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

“Crossing the line as a medalist really solidified my career,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2026

I was young and inexperienced, and my coach was an Olympic medalist.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• challenger
• champ
• defender
• hero
• number one
• winner