award

1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈwȯrd How to pronounce award (audio)
awarded; awarding; awards
Synonyms of awardnext

transitive verb

1
: to confer or bestow as being deserved or merited or needed
award scholarships to disadvantaged students
2
: to give by judicial decree or after careful consideration
The jury awarded damages to the defendant.
award a contract
awardable
ə-ˈwȯr-də-bəl How to pronounce award (audio)
adjective
awardee
ə-ˌwȯr-ˈdē How to pronounce award (audio)
noun
awarder
ə-ˈwȯr-dər How to pronounce award (audio)
noun

award

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that is conferred or bestowed especially on the basis of merit or need
a film that has won several awards
2
a
: a judgment or final decision
especially : the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted to them
b
: the document containing the decision of arbitrators

Synonyms

Verb

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for award

grant, concede, vouchsafe, accord, award mean to give as a favor or a right.

grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

Examples of award in a Sentence

Verb The judges will award a prize to the best speaker. The winner was awarded a gold medal. A prize will be awarded to the student who sells the most tickets. The jury awarded damages to the defendant. The company is awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. He was awarded a patent for his invention. Noun Will the film win any awards at the festival? She has won numerous awards for her books.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors currently participating in THR’s pioneering Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program which pairs some of the brightest high school girls from underserved communities in Los Angeles with some of the most powerful female executives in film and TV. —Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024 When Manson died in 2017, a judge ruled that Freeman was Manson's grandson and awarded him Manson's body, The Northwest Florida Daily News reported. —Jessica Sager, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Board of Directors of City Trusts announced November 18 that three individuals received the 2024 John Scott award for their work in the field. —John Werner, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Since 2002, the Unforgettable Gala has grown to become the API community’s longest-running awards ceremony. —Matt Minton, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for award 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, to decide, from Anglo-French awarder, agarder to look at, examine, resolve, from a- (from Latin ad-) + warder, garder to look after, guard — more at guard

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of award was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near award

awanyu

award

award clerk

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Award.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/award. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

award

1 of 2 verb
ə-ˈwȯ(ə)rd How to pronounce award (audio)
1
: to give by court decision (as after a lawsuit)
award damages
2
: to give or grant as a reward
award a prize to the best speaker

award

2 of 2 noun
: something (as a prize) that is awarded

Legal Definition

award

1 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to give in accordance with a judicial or administrative determination or decision
award punitive damages
2
: to grant as deserved
awarded the contract to the lowest bidder

award

2 of 2 noun
1
: a judgment or final decision: as
a
: arbitrator's award
b
: a formal decision regarding benefits in a workers' compensation claim
2
: something granted especially on the basis of merit or entitlement: as
a
: a contract won by a successful bidder
b
: relief usually in the form of money (as damages or alimony) granted to a party in a legal proceeding
Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French awarder, agarder to look at, decide on, impose, alteration of Old French esguarder to look at, from es-, intensive prefix + guarder to guard

More from Merriam-Webster on award

Nglish: Translation of award for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of award for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about award

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