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

Some of their rivals may feel the cost may have been greater in the form of trophies and prize money they could potentially have won.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Contracted runners were promised lucrative prize money and salaries in the competition's inaugural season, but the final event was cancelled and organisers later voluntarily filed for bankruptcy in the US.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Now, those players will have the twin incentives of more prize money and serious playoff implications.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

The team also sweetened its bid by promising a one-time $450 million payment to be distributed among the 10 existing teams to make up for the dilution in prize money.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

I know the prize money isn’t as much as first place, but it will still help.

From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist

Related Words

• jackpot
• reward