award

The word “award” means a prize or honour given for merit or achievement. In plain terms, to officially grant a prize, or the prize itself.

“Award” is pronounced uh-WAWD (/əˈwɔɹd/ in IPA).

Here is “award” used in a sentence: “She won an award for her documentary film.”

Depending on how it is used, “award” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “award” comes from Medieval Latin. From Anglo-Norman awarder, from Medieval Latin *exwardare — from Latin ex- + wardare, "to observe/guard"; related to "ward" and "guard".

“Award” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Award” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prize or honour given for merit or achievement.

An award is given for merit or achievement, often by judges and frequently in public, such as a prize or medal. A reward is given in return for something — effort, good behaviour, or service — or offered as an incentive, like money for returning a lost wallet.

The words often overlap, but a prize is typically something won in a contest or competition, sometimes by chance. An award is usually given for merit or achievement after judging, and need not involve a competition at all. A lottery has prizes; an academy hands out awards.

Awards take many forms. Physical ones include trophies, medals, cups, plaques, and certificates. Others are honours or titles, cash prizes, or scholarships. They are given across fields such as film, sport, science, academia, and the workplace, from an Oscar to an employee-of-the-month certificate.

Well-known examples include the Academy Awards (Oscars) in film, the Nobel Prize in science and peace, and Olympic gold medals in sport. On a smaller scale, a school might give a certificate for good attendance or a workplace an employee-of-the-month award.