Oxford Dictionary
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/medal?q=medalDefinition of medal
noun
a metal disc typically of the size of a large coin and bearing an inscription or design, made to commemorate an event or awarded as a distinction to someone such as a soldier or athlete.
verb (medals, medalling, medalled; US medals, medaling, medaled)
1 [no object] US win a medal in a sporting event: Larsen medaled in 4th place in the 3,200 meter run
2 [with object] (often as adjective medalled) decorate or honour with a medal: the most medalled athlete in Britain
Derivatives
medallic
adjective
Origin:
late 16th century: from French médaille, from Italian medaglia, from medieval Latin medalia 'half a denarius', from Latin medialis 'medial'
Do not confuse medal with meddle. Medal means 'a metal disc given as an award' ( a gold medal), whereas meddle means 'interfere' ( don’t meddle in people’s lives).