medal Definition

medal
noun

1. A flat piece of metal decorated with a design or inscription and awarded, eg to a soldier, sportsperson, etc, for merit or bravery, or produced in celebration of a special occasion.

Thesaurus: badge, award, honour, trophy, decoration.

Derivative: medallist

Someone who is awarded a medal, especially for excellence in sport.

A designer, maker or collector of, or an expert on, medals.

Etymology: 16c: from French médaille, from Latin metallum metal.