What does medalling mean?
Medalling is the present participle of medal, a verb meaning to award a medal to someone for an achievement, service, or contribution. It can also describe competing for or winning a medal, as in a report that an athlete was medalling at international level. The word is associated with ceremonies, honours, sport, and other competitive contexts, and it often carries a formal or celebratory tone. In British English it is conventionally spelled with two l's, while American English generally uses one. Although the related noun medal has a long history, derived from Latin through Old French, the present participle is used today for both the act of honouring someone and the activity of seeking recognition through competition. It is a useful word when discussing awards, public ceremonies, athletic achievement, or the language of recognition itself.
verbTo award a medal to someone, especially in recognition of an achievement or service. It can also mean to compete for or win a medal.
- To award a medal to someone as a mark of honour or recognition.
- To compete for or win a medal, especially in a sporting or competitive event.
"The committee is medalling volunteers who supported the community throughout the year."
"The organisers are medalling the volunteers who helped make the event possible."
"After years of training, she was medalling in national competitions."
Every Olympic medal has a piece of metal at its centre, so an act of recognition can literally become a small piece of wearable history.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does medalling come from?
Medalling is formed from the verb medal, which comes through Old French medaille from Latin medallium, a diminutive of metallum, meaning metal. Medieval medal was also associated with precious-metal coins and portraits, while the modern sense of an award developed in English during the 17th century. Related forms such as medallic and metallic share the same Latin material-word root, while the sense of medalling in competition reflects the later sporting use of medals.
Related word forms
How medalling is actually used
In British English, the usual spelling is medalling; American English more commonly uses medaling. The word can imply formal recognition, especially when someone is being honoured for an achievement.
Easily confused with medalling
Medalling means awarding or winning a medal, whereas meddling means interfering in affairs that are not one's own.