medal

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A flat piece of metal stamped with a design or an inscription commemorating an event or a person, often given as an award.
2. n. A piece of metal stamped with a religious device, used as an object of veneration or commemoration.
3. v. To win a medal, as in a sports contest: "We were the first Americans to medal” ( Jill Watson).
4. v. To award a medal to.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A piece of metal, usually circular in form, bearing devices (types) and inscriptions, struck or cast to commemorate a person, an institution, or an event, and distinguished from a coin by not being intended to serve as a medium of exchange. The word is also sometimes used to designate coins, particularly ancient coins in the precious metals, or fine medieval or Renaissance coins, in collections. Some of the Greek and Roman coin-types are commemorative, and the Roman medallions were of a quasi-medallic character. Strictly speaking, however, the medal is a creation of modern times. The earliest, and in point of portraiture the finest, medals were produced in Italy about the middle of the fifteenth century by Vittore Pisano of Verona. Fine medals were also executed in Italy, Germany, and France during the sixteenth century. English medals begin practically with the reign of Henry VIII. The earliest specimens are cast, but in the reign of James I. the process of striking began to be employed. Thomas Rawlins, Thomas Simon, and Abraham Simon (seventeenth century) are the principal medalists who were natives of England; but some of the best English medals were the productions of foreign artists, as Trezzo (time of Philip and Mary), Simon Passe (James I.), N. Briot (Charles I.), the Roettier family (Charles II.), and J. Croker (Anne).
2. To decorate with a medal; confer a medal upon; present with a medal as a mark of honor.
3. n. A small metal badge, usually with a ribbon attached, presented for distinguished service.

Wiktionary

1. n. A stamped metal disc used as a personal ornament, a charm, or a religious object.
2. n. A stamped or cast metal object (usually a disc), particularly one awarded as a prize or reward.
3. v. sports To win a medal.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A piece of metal in the form of coin, struck with a device, and intended to preserve the remembrance of a notable event or an illustrious person, or to serve as a reward.
2. v. To honor or reward with a medal.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event