# medalist

/ˈmɛdəɫɪst/ (US) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/medalist
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a person who wins a medal in a competition, especially in sports like the Olympics.

For teachers: a person who has been awarded a medal for achieving a high rank in a competition or for distinguished service.

## Examples

- The gold medalist stood proudly on the podium.
- After years of intense training, she finally became an Olympic medalist in the hundred-meter sprint.
- The university invited several Nobel Prize medalists to speak at the commencement ceremony to inspire the graduating class with their research journeys.

## Usage notes

- Often preceded by the specific type of medal, such as 'gold', 'silver', or 'bronze'.

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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.