prize money

American  

noun

1. money offered, won, or received in prizes.

2. a portion of the money realized from the sale of a prize, especially an enemy's vessel, divided among the captors.

---

prize money British  

noun

1. any money offered, paid, or received as a prize

2. (formerly) a part of the money realized from the sale of a captured vessel

---

Etymology

Origin of prize money

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prize money

"I asked her where it was and she said it was nearby. She told me that if she won the prize money, it would help with her education."

From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026

That prize money was only introduced at the 2024 Games in Paris, and is paltry compared to the potential millions in winnings on offer in other major sports.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The savvy former WTA boss, who once successfully fought for women’s equal prize money, now shadow-leads an unexpectedly unified player effort to restructure the relationship with the sport’s longstanding economic pillars — the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Though some leagues like the National Professional Fishing League ban FFS altogether, it’s unlikely to disappear from Bassmaster’s Elite Series, where the prize money can be substantial and tech companies are major sponsors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

He never came home with the prize money and his instruments, and no one in the family had seen him since.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• jackpot
• reward