medal

USMED-uhl/ˈmɛdəl/AUSMED-l/ˈmed.l̩/

Pluralmedals

4 meanings of medal

1
nouncountable
A flat piece of metal given as a prize for winning or doing something well.
Like a special coin you get for winning a race.
She won a gold medal at the swimming contest.
The soldier wore a shiny medal on his uniform.
Similaraward, decoration, honor, prize, medallion
2
nouncountable
A small metal disc worn as jewelry, a lucky charm, or a religious sign.
Like a tiny metal picture you wear on a chain.
She wore a small silver medal around her neck.
He kept a religious medal in his pocket for luck.
Similarmedallion, pendant, charm
Note
3
verbcolloquialintransitive
To win a medal in a sport or contest.
Like finishing high enough in a race to take home a prize.
She hopes to medal at the regional championships.
Three of our runners medaled at the meet.
Similarplace, podium
Note
4
verbtransitive
To give someone a medal as a prize or reward.
Like a teacher giving you a sticker for good work, but with a metal prize.
The mayor medaled the firefighters for their bravery.
They will medal every finisher at the marathon.
Similardecorate, honor

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of medal apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through French and Italian from Latin. The Latin root meant "middle," and the word first meant half a denarius (an old coin).