medal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛd(ə)l/

noun

  • a metal disc typically of the size of a large coin and bearing an inscription or design, made to commemorate an event or awarded as a distinction to someone such as a soldier or athlete.

verb (medals, medalling, medalled; US medals, medaling, medaled)

  • 1 [no object] US win a medal in a sporting event: Larsen medaled in 4th place in the 3,200 meter run
  • 2 [with object] (often as adjective medalled) decorate or honour with a medal: the most medalled athlete in Britain

Derivatives

medallic

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: from French médaille, from Italian medaglia, from medieval Latin medalia 'half a denarius', from Latin medialis 'medial'

Do not confuse medal with meddle. Medal means 'a metal disc given as an award' ( a gold medal), whereas meddle means 'interfere' ( don’t meddle in people’s lives).