Award — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈwȯrd/

Meaning & Definition of Award

Award (verb)

  1. to confer or bestow as being deserved or merited or needed
  2. to give by judicial decree or after careful consideration

Award (noun)

  1. something that is conferred or bestowed especially on the basis of merit or need
  2. a judgment or final decision; especially, the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted to them
  3. the document containing the decision of arbitrators

Award (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something given in recognition of achievement

    "Faye received the highest award in the 16 and under category for her poem"

    similar: accolade, blue ribbon, decoration, distinction, honor, kudo, plume, premium, prize
    related: badge, crown, cup, laurel, medal, order, plaque, plate, ribbon, trophy, applause, bravo, encomium, eulogy, hallelujah, homage, paean, panegyric, plaudit, tribute, citation, commendation, compliment, honorable mention

  2. a position arrived at after consideration

    "in their award the board of arbitrators declared that both writers deserved screen credit for their contributions to the final screenplay"

    similar: call, conclusion, decision, deliverance, determination, diagnosis, judgment, opinion, resolution, verdict
    related: behest, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, directive, edict, instruction, mandate, order, word, last word, say-so, adjudication, disposition, doom, finding, ruling, sentence, choice, option, selection, consensus, belief, conviction, eye, feeling, mind, notion, persuasion, sentiment, view
    near: deadlock, draw, halt, stalemate, standoff, tie

Award (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give something as a token of gratitude or admiration for a service or achievement

    "we will award the top three contestants in the essay competition"

    similar: reward
    related: cite, decorate, honor, remember, compensate, pay, recompense, requite, reimburse, repay, acclaim, applaud, commend, compliment, hail, praise, salute

  2. to give the ownership or benefit of (something) formally or publicly

    "custody of the boy was awarded to the grandparents"

    similar: accord, confer, grant, vest
    related: bestow, contribute, donate, give, present, show, furnish, provide, supply, extend, offer, proffer, allocate, appropriate, assign, appoint, designate, dub, fix, name, set
    near: abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off, recant, retract, take back, withdraw

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Award

The most common words with a similar meaning to Award:

accolade, blue ribbon, decoration, distinction, honor, kudo, plume, premium, prize, call, conclusion, decision, deliverance, determination, diagnosis, judgment, opinion, resolution, verdict, reward, accord, confer, grant, vest

Related Words for Award

badge, crown, cup, laurel, medal, order, plaque, plate, ribbon, trophy, applause, bravo, encomium, eulogy, hallelujah, homage, paean, panegyric, plaudit, tribute, citation, commendation, compliment, honorable mention, behest, charge, commandment, decree, dictate, directive

Near Antonyms of Award

deadlock, draw, halt, stalemate, standoff, tie, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off, recant, retract, take back, withdraw

Word Forms of Award

Inflections: awarded, awarding, awards

Derived words: awardable (adjective), awardee (noun), awarder (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Award

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 guard

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Award

Words & Phrases Containing Award

Academy Award

Frequently Asked Questions about Award

What does "Award" mean?

"Award" means to confer or bestow as being deserved or merited or needed. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to confer or bestow as being deserved or merited or needed. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Award"?

Other words for "Award" include accolade, blue ribbon, decoration, distinction, honor, kudo, plume and premium. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Award" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Award"?

There are 115 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Award". Common alternatives include accolade, blue ribbon, decoration, distinction, honor, kudo, plume, premium, prize and call.

How do you use "Award" in a sentence?

Examples of "Award" in a sentence: "Faye received the highest award in the 16 and under category for her poem"; "in their award the board of arbitrators declared that both writers deserved screen credit for their contributions to the final screenplay"; "we will award the top three contestants in the essay competition".

Is "Award" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Award" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Award" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Award" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Award"?

"Award" is pronounced /ə-ˈwȯrd/.

What is the origin of the word "Award"?

"Award" comes from 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 guard. First known use: 14th century.