medallion

/məˈdæljɪn/

/məˈdæljɪn/

Other forms: medallions

A medallion is a very large metal pendant that's given as an award. The medallion you won when you finished that marathon must be one of your most cherished possessions.

Medallions are extra big medals, discs of metal stamped with a design on both sides. When they're given to mark some achievement, medallions are often suspended from a ribbon that's hung around the recipient's neck or pinned to their clothing. Another kind of medallion is a small disc of boneless meat. And although most taxi drivers do deserve a medal, a taxi medallion is a permit to drive a cab.

Definitions of medallion

1. noun

   an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
   synonyms: decoration, laurel wreath, medal, palm, ribbon

   types:

   Congressional Medal of Honor, Medal of Honor

   the highest U.S. military decoration awarded for bravery and valor in action `above and beyond the call of duty'

   Distinguished Service Medal

   a United States military decoration for meritorious service in wartime duty of great responsibility

   Distinguished Service Cross

   a United States Army decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy

   Navy Cross

   a United States Navy decoration for extraordinary heroism against an armed enemy

   Distinguished Flying Cross

   a United States Air Force decoration for heroism while participating in an aerial flight

   Air Medal

   a United States Air Force decoration for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight

   Silver Star, Silver Star Medal

   a United States military decoration for gallantry in action

   Bronze Star, Bronze Star Medal

   a United States military decoration awarded for meritorious service (except in aerial flight)

   Order of the Purple Heart, Purple Heart

   a United States military decoration awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded in action

   Oak Leaf Cluster

   a United States military decoration consisting of bronze or silver oak leaves and acorns awarded to anyone who has won a given medal before

   Victoria Cross

   a British military decoration for gallantry

   Distinguished Conduct Medal

   a British military decoration for distinguished conduct in the field

   Distinguished Service Order

   a British military decoration for special service in action

   Croix de Guerre

   a French military decoration for gallantry

   Medaille Militaire

   a French military decoration

   type of:

   accolade, award, honor, honour, laurels

   a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
2. noun

   an emblem indicating that a taxicab is registered
   type of:

   allegory, emblem

   a visible symbol representing an abstract idea
3. noun

   any of various large ancient Greek coins
   type of:

   coin

   a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
4. noun

   a circular helping of food (especially a boneless cut of meat)
   “medallions of veal”

   type of:

   helping, portion, serving

   an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal