Badge vs. Medal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 9, 2024
A badge is a symbol of achievement, membership, or authority, while a medal is a piece of metal awarded as a mark of honor for military, sporting, or other achievements.
Difference Between Badge and Medal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Badges are often used to signify membership in a group, achievement of a specific level of expertise, or authority, such as police badges. Medals, on the other hand, are typically awarded for outstanding service, achievements in sports, or military valor, and are often worn on special occasions.
While badges can be made of various materials and used for identification or symbolic purposes in organizations, medals are specifically designed to commemorate achievements or honors and are usually made of metal. Badges often have a practical function, serving as a form of identification or granting access to certain areas, whereas medals are primarily ceremonial, recognizing individual or group achievements.
The design of badges can vary widely, from simple pins to elaborate symbols worn on uniforms, reflecting the wearer's role, rank, or achievements within an organization. Medals, however, are usually circular or oval and come with ribbons to be worn around the neck or pinned to clothing, highlighting their decorative and honorific function.
Both badges and medals serve as tangible recognitions of accomplishment or status but differ in their context of use. Badges are more commonly associated with professional or organizational identities, while medals emphasize personal or team accomplishments in competitive or valorous endeavors.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Signifies achievement, membership, or authority.
Awarded as a mark of honor for achievements or service.
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Material
Can be made of various materials.
Typically made of metal.
Usage
Identification, symbolic representation in organizations.
Commemorates achievements, worn on special occasions.
Design
Varies widely, can be simple or elaborate.
Usually circular or oval, comes with a ribbon.
Context
Professional, organizational identity.
Military, sporting achievements, personal honors.
Compare with Definitions
Badge
Symbol of membership.
The scout wore his troop badge with pride.
Medal
Achievement recognition.
The athlete's gold medal was a reward for years of training.
Badge
Practical function.
His badge grants access to secure areas of the building.
Medal
Mark of honor.
She received a medal for her bravery in service.
Badge
Authority indicator.
Police badges identify officers and their authority.
Medal
Decorative.
The medal's ribbon matched the national colors.
Badge
Diverse materials.
Her employee badge is made of durable plastic.
Medal
Ceremonial use.
Veterans wore their medals at the parade.
Badge
Varied design.
The conference badges were designed to stand out.
Medal
Metallic.
His collection includes medals from several international competitions.
Badge
A badge is a device or accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath (e.g., police and fire), a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple means of identification. They are also used in advertising, publicity, and for branding purposes.
Medal
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are given as awards.
Badge
A device or emblem worn as an insignia of rank, office, or membership in an organization.
Medal
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.
Badge
An emblem given as an award or honor.
Medal
Win a medal in a sporting event
They medalled in all the relay events
Badge
A characteristic mark or indicative trait
“Indifference to what others think is ... the badge of the aristocrat” (Elspeth Huxley).
Medal
A flat piece of metal stamped with a design or an inscription commemorating an event or a person, often given as an award.
Badge
A distinctive mark, token, sign, emblem or cognizance, worn on one's clothing, as an insignia of some rank, or of the membership of an organization.
The badge of a society; the badge of a policeman
Medal
A piece of metal stamped with a religious device, used as an object of veneration or commemoration.
Badge
A small nameplate, identifying the wearer, and often giving additional information.
Medal
To win a medal, as in a sports contest
"We were the first Americans to medal" (Jill Watson).
Badge
A card, sometimes with a barcode or magnetic strip, granting access to a certain area.
Medal
To award a medal to.
Badge
Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Medal
A stamped metal disc used as a personal ornament, a charm, or a religious object.
Badge
A brand on the hand of a thief, etc.
Medal
A stamped or cast metal object (usually a disc), particularly one awarded as a prize or reward.
Badge
(nautical) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
Medal
To win a medal.
He medalled twice at the Olympics.
Badge
(heraldry) A distinctive mark worn by servants, retainers, and followers of royalty or nobility, who, being beneath the rank of gentlemen, have no right to armorial bearings.
Medal
(transitive) To award a medal to.
Badge
(GUI) A small overlay on an icon that shows additional information about that item, such as the number of new alerts or messages.
Medal
A piece of metal in the form of a 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.
Badge
An icon or emblem awarded to a user for some achievement.
When you have checked in to the site from ten different cities, you unlock the Traveller badge.
Medal
To honor or reward with a medal.
Badge
(slang) A police officer.
That's why every badge back home wanted to nail him.
Medal
An award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
Badge
(transitive) To mark or distinguish with a badge.
The television was badged as 'GE', but wasn't made by them.
Badge
(transitive) To show a badge to.
He calmed down a lot when the policeman badged him.
Badge
(ambitransitive) To enter a restricted area by showing one's badge.
Badge
A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the badge of a society; the badge of a policeman.
Badge
Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.
Badge
A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
Badge
To mark or distinguish with a badge.
Badge
An emblem (a small piece of plastic or cloth or metal) that signifies your status (rank or membership or affiliation etc.);
They checked everyone's badge before letting them in
Badge
Any feature that is regarded as a sign of status (a particular power or quality or rank);
Wearing a tie was regarded as a badge of respectability
Badge
Put a badge on;
The workers here must be badged
Common Curiosities
What is a badge?
A badge is a symbol that signifies a person's affiliation, achievement, or authority within an organization.
Can badges be awarded for achievements like medals?
Yes, badges can also recognize achievements, especially in non-competitive contexts like education or certain professions.
Are badges and medals interchangeable?
While both recognize achievements or status, they are used in different contexts and are not interchangeable.
How are medals worn?
Medals are typically worn on clothing with ribbons, often during ceremonial occasions.
Are medals only awarded for military service?
No, medals can also be awarded for achievements in sports, arts, and other fields.
Do badges and medals come in standard designs?
Badges vary widely in design depending on their purpose, while medals usually follow a more standardized, ceremonial format.
What is a medal?
A medal is a decorative piece of metal awarded as a mark of honor for achievements, often in the military or sports.
How do badges and medals differ?
Badges often signify membership or authority and can be made of various materials, while medals are metallic and awarded for honors.
Can anyone receive a medal?
Medals are awarded to individuals who meet specific criteria for achievements or honors in various fields.
Do badges have a practical use?
Many badges serve practical purposes, such as identification or granting access to restricted areas.
Can badges be collected like medals?
Yes, both badges and medals can be collected, often as memorabilia or symbols of personal achievements.
Is there a hierarchy to medals?
In many contexts, especially military and sporting, medals can have a hierarchy based on the level of achievement or honor they represent.
Can organizations create their own badges or medals?
Yes, organizations can and often do create specific badges or medals to recognize achievements or membership within their groups.
What materials are medals made from?
Medals are primarily made from metals like gold, silver, bronze, or other alloys.
How long have medals been awarded?
Medals have been awarded for centuries, with their origins tracing back to ancient civilizations for military honors.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
