medal
MEHD
Medal (noun) means a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery. Example: “She won a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint.”
noun
1
A flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery.
"She won a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint."
"He was awarded a medal for his service in the war."
"Every child who finished the race received a small medal."
verb
1
To win a medal in a competition.
"The gymnast medaled in three separate events."
"She hopes to medal at the swimming championships this year."
"Our relay team medalled for the first time ever."
How to use medal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA metal disc given as an award, or, as a verb, to win one.
Common pairings
gold medal
win a medal
medal ceremony
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Word forms
- Plural
- medals
- Third person singular
- medals
- Past tense
- medaled, medalled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She won a gold _____ in the 200-meter sprint.
Etymology
From Italian medaglia, originally meaning "half a denarius" (a Roman coin), from Late Latin mediālis ("middle").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for medal
See all rhymes for medal →Frequently asked questions
What does “medal” mean?
The word “medal” means a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery. In plain terms, a metal disc given as an award, or, as a verb, to win one.
How do you pronounce “medal”?
“Medal” is pronounced MEHD ([ˈmɛɾ.ɫ̩] in IPA).
How do you use “medal” in a sentence?
Here is “medal” used in a sentence: “She won a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint.”
What part of speech is “medal”?
Depending on how it is used, “medal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “medal” come from?
The word “medal” comes from Late Latin. From Italian medaglia, originally meaning "half a denarius" (a Roman coin), from Late Latin mediālis ("middle").
Is “medal” a common word?
“Medal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “medal” have?
“Medal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honor, often for achievement or bravery.
Is medal a verb, as in she medaled at the Olympics?
Yes. "To medal" means to win a medal in a competition, and it is well established in sports reporting: "She medaled in three events." British English usually doubles the l in the past tense ("medalled"), while American English writes "medaled." Some style guides still treat the verb as informal, so formal writing may prefer "won a medal."
What is the difference between medal, metal, meddle, and mettle?
These four sound alike in many accents but mean different things. A medal is a flat metal disc awarded as a prize or honour; metal is the material itself; to meddle is to interfere in other people's business; and mettle is a person's courage or resilience. Writing "gold metal" for "gold medal" is one of the most common mix-ups.
What is the difference between a medal and a medallion?
A medal is awarded as a prize or honour, typically for achievement or bravery. A medallion is a larger medal-shaped disc worn as jewellery or used as decoration, and it is not necessarily awarded for anything.
Do you win, take, or get a medal?
The most natural collocation is "win a medal," and sports writing also uses "take" or "claim" a medal, as in "She took bronze." You can also "be awarded a medal," which emphasises the giving of the honour rather than the victory, and athletes are said to "medal in" a particular event.
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