award

[uh-wawrd]

verb (used with object)

1. to give as due or merited; assign or bestow.

   to award prizes.

2. to bestow by judicial decree; assign or appoint by deliberate judgment, as in arbitration.

   The plaintiff was awarded damages of $100,000.

noun

1. something awarded, as a payment or medal.

2. Law.

   1. a decision after consideration; a judicial sentence.

   2. the decision of arbitrators on a matter submitted to them.

award

/ əˈwɔːd /

verb

1. to give (something due), esp as a reward for merit

   to award prizes

2. law to declare to be entitled, as by decision of a court of law or an arbitrator

noun

1. something awarded, such as a prize or medal

   an award for bravery

2. (in Australia and New Zealand) the amount of an award wage (esp in the phrase above award )

3. law

   1. the decision of an arbitrator

   2. a grant made by a court of law, esp of damages in a civil action

Other Word Forms

• awardee noun
• awardable adverb
• awarder noun
• awardability noun
• misaward verb (used with object)
• superaward noun
• unawardable adjective
• unawarded adjective
• well-awarded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of award¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English awarden, from Anglo-French awarder; equivalent to a- ⁴ + ward; (for the noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French, derivative of awarder

Word History and Origins

Origin of award¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman awarder, from Old Northern French eswarder to decide after investigation, from es- _ex- ¹ + warder to observe; see _ward

Example Sentences

It is the first time the prestigious music industry awards, which are taking place at the Newcastle's Utilita Arena on 16 October, will be held outside of London.

From BBC

“Royals” topped Billboard’s Hot 100 for nine straight weeks in 2013 and went on to win two Grammys, including the award for song of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

The detention camp contract at Fort Bliss, which could eventually hold 5,000 people, was awarded to a consortium of firms led by a company on the military contracting list for over $1 billion.

From Salon

In a news release, the department confirmed that it had terminated more than 300 financial awards associated with 223 projects, amounting to $7.56 billion.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Benson pointed out that he had "no legal ability" to pay the award once the company was in administration.

From BBC

Related Words

• accolade 
• citation 
• decision 
• donation 
• endowment 
• gift 
• gold 
• grant 
• honor 
• presentation 
• scholarship 
• trophy 
• verdict