award
uh-WAWD
Award (noun) means a prize or honour given for merit or achievement. Example: “He proudly placed the award on the shelf beside his old school trophies.”
noun
1
A prize or honour given for merit or achievement.
"He proudly placed the award on the shelf beside his old school trophies."
"She won an award for her documentary film."
"The award ceremony ran late into the night."
verb
1
To officially give someone a prize, sum of money, or other benefit as the result of a decision.
"The committee will award a certificate to every child who finishes the course."
"The judge awarded damages to the injured party."
"The scholarship was awarded to the top student in the class."
How to use award
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially grant a prize, or the prize itself.
Common pairings
award a prize
award ceremony
award damages
win an award
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Word forms
- Plural
- awards
- Third person singular
- awards
- Past tense
- awarded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He proudly placed the _____ on the shelf beside his old school trophies.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman awarder, from Medieval Latin *exwardare — from Latin ex- + wardare, "to observe/guard"; related to "ward" and "guard".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “award” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “award”?
“Award” is pronounced uh-WAWD (/əˈwɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “award” in a sentence?
Here is “award” used in a sentence: “She won an award for her documentary film.”
What part of speech is “award”?
Depending on how it is used, “award” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “award” come from?
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".
Is “award” a common word?
“Award” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “award” have?
“Award” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prize or honour given for merit or achievement.
What is the difference between an award and a reward?
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.
What is the difference between an award and a prize?
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.
What are the types of award?
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.
What is an example of an award?
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.
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