Medal for the dinner call? (4)

I believe the answer is:

gong

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'medal' is the definition.
(informal term for a medal or prize)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for gong that I've seen before include "Medal; forty down" , "Sound it, for dinner say" , "Dinner signal" , "Dinner bell or slang medal" , "Dinner instrument?" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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