# medal

/ˈmɛdəɫ/ (US) · /mˈɛdəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/medal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an award

noun · CEFR B1

a flat piece of metal, usually like a coin, given as a prize for winning a race or for doing something brave.

For teachers: a small, flat piece of metal, typically circular, awarded as a mark of distinction for military bravery or sporting excellence.

- The runner was proud to wear her gold medal after winning the marathon.
- The veteran was presented with a silver medal for gallantry during the ceremony at the capital.

### 2. a religious or decorative object

noun · CEFR B2

a metal disc worn for religious reasons or as a piece of jewellery.

For teachers: a metal disc used as a personal ornament, a religious charm, or a commemorative object not necessarily tied to a competition.

- He wore a small St. Christopher medal on a chain around his neck for protection.
- The antique shop displayed several nineteenth-century religious medals crafted from tarnished bronze and silver.

### 4. to give an award

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to officially give a medal to someone.

For teachers: to decorate or honour a person by awarding them a medal. This transitive use is less common than the intransitive sporting sense.

- The general will medal the soldiers for their service during the parade.
- The state chose to medal the returning explorers in recognition of their significant contributions to geographic science.

## Examples

- She won a gold medal in the swimming race.
- The veteran was presented with a medal for his bravery during the rescue mission last winter.
- While the silver medal represents a significant achievement on the global stage, many athletes find the immediate aftermath of a second-place finish to be bittersweet.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.