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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of prize money

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prize money

The event was set to be held at the end of August at The Cardinal at Saint John’s outside of Detroit, with $40 million in prize money on the line.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Her winning partner Alakai, 30, is also putting business before pleasure with his $50,000 in prize money.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Leigh said they are not trying to make a profit, but they need to sell 550,000 tickets to cover the property’s costs, legal fees, taxes, prize money and raffle expenses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

For qualifying for the Round of 16, the U.S. will be awarded $16 million in prize money, but by rule, that money must be split with the U.S. women’s team.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

She never will spend the five-hundred-dollar prize money, though.

From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake

Related Words

• jackpot
• reward