congressional medal of honor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Proper noun, specific reference)Formal, official, historical
Quick answer
What does “congressional medal of honor” mean?
The highest military award for valor in action against an enemy force, presented by the United States government to members of its armed forces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The highest military award for valor in action against an enemy force, presented by the United States government to members of its armed forces.
A specific American military decoration awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively American; there is no direct British equivalent. The closest British concept would be the Victoria Cross, but the terminology is not used in British English.
Connotations
In American English: highest honor, extreme bravery, sacrifice, national heroism. In British English: recognized as a specific American award.
Frequency
Used only in American contexts; extremely rare in British discourse outside of discussions of U.S. military history.
Grammar
How to Use “congressional medal of honor” in a Sentence
[Subject] was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for [action].The President presented [recipient] with the Congressional Medal of Honor.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “congressional medal of honor” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- He was Medal of Honored in a White House ceremony. (informal/rare)
adjective
American English
- A Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
- The Congressional Medal of Honor criteria are extremely strict.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; only in contexts involving military contracting, defense industry recognition, or corporate awards named after it.
Academic
Used in military history, American studies, political science (executive/legislative recognition).
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; appears in news reports about recipients, Memorial Day/Veterans Day contexts.
Technical
Used in military regulations (Title 10, U.S. Code), award citations, heraldry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “congressional medal of honor”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “congressional medal of honor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “congressional medal of honor”
- Writing 'Congressional metal of honor' (metal instead of medal).
- Using lowercase ('congressional medal of honor').
- Confusing it with the 'Congressional Gold Medal'.
- Referring to it as a 'medallion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Congressional Medal of Honor' is the official, formal title, but it is commonly shortened to 'Medal of Honor' (MOH).
Yes, the majority of Congressional Medals of Honor have been awarded posthumously.
There is one Medal of Honor for the entire U.S. armed forces, but the design of the Army, Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard, and Air Force/Space Force versions varies slightly.
Only one woman, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (a Civil War surgeon), has received the Medal of Honor. Her award was briefly rescinded but later reinstated.
The highest military award for valor in action against an enemy force, presented by the United States government to members of its armed forces.
Congressional medal of honor is usually formal, official, historical in register.
Congressional medal of honor: in British English it is pronounced /kənˌɡreʃ.ən.əl ˌmed.əl əv ˈɒn.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˌɡreʃ.ən.əl ˌmed.əl əv ˈɑː.nɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Above and beyond the call of duty (often associated with MOH criteria)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CONGRESS gives the MEDAL for great HONOR.
Conceptual Metaphor
The pinnacle of bravery (vertical hierarchy metaphor); the ultimate sacrifice recognized by the nation.
Practice
Quiz
Who presents the Congressional Medal of Honor?