Medal of Freedom

noun phrase

: a U.S. decoration awarded to civilians for meritorious achievement in any of various fields

Examples of Medal of Freedom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He has also been given an honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 July 2026 Harvey Milk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. — USA Today, 28 July 2026 In January 2025, then-President Joe Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 22 July 2026 Patterson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work in 1987. — Norah Judson, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Medal of Freedom

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Medal of Freedom was in 1945

Browse Nearby Words

medallionist
Medal of Freedom
Medal of Honor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Medal of Freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Medal%20of%20Freedom. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All