medal

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.

“Medal” is pronounced MEHD ([ˈmɛɾ.ɫ̩] in IPA).

Here is “medal” used in a sentence: “She won a gold medal in the 200-meter sprint.”

Depending on how it is used, “medal” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “medal” comes from Late Latin. From Italian medaglia, originally meaning "half a denarius" (a Roman coin), from Late Latin mediālis ("middle").

“Medal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“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.

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."

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.

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.

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.