What does "award" mean?
A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Award
/əˈwɔːd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
- Grammar: award is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: honor, prize, a prize, a scholarship.
- Useful contrasts: contractor bid, denial, deny.
- Usage evidence: Bill was singled out for a special award.
How to use "award"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "award" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "award" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "award" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "award" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "award" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "honor" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "award", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
"Citing the damages that Ms. Lewis and Mr. Heslin had requested, Mr. Jones called the award a “major victory” in a video posted on Infowars on Thursday night, even as he urged viewers to buy products from his website to stave off what he portrayed as financial ruin."
- 2 a grant made by a law court wordnet
- 3 The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
- 4 a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction wordnet
- 5 Funding that has been granted for the conduct of a research project.
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery wordnet
- 7 A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
- 8 A negotiated set of employment conditions and minimum wages for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award. Australia, New-Zealand
"The AMIEU^([Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union]) first developed into a powerful organisation in the early years of the twentieth century, and after the first industry-wide collective agreement was made in 1911, collective bargaining prevailed in the industry until 1917, when the employers sought an award from the Queensland Industrial Court. The first award was issued on March 12, 1918."
Verb
- 1 To determine; to make or grant an award. intransitive
"To assert its control, Vietnam has since established Spratly Island as a township in Truòng Sa district, organized local elections and tours in the Spratlys, and has continued to award oil exploration contracts."
- 2 give, especially as an honor or reward wordnet
- 3 To give (an award). transitive
"Four or five of these medals are awarded every year."
- 4 give as judged due or on the basis of merit wordnet
- 5 To give (a person) an award. transitive
"He was awarded with the Nobel Prize for Literature."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case. transitive
"The arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant."
- 7 (in an examination) To give marks for a correct answer. British, transitive
"Do not award marks for data from previous questions."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Bill was singled out for a special award."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "award"?
Common synonyms include: honor, prize, a prize, a scholarship, academy award, accolade.
How do you use "award" in a sentence?
Bill was singled out for a special award.
How do you pronounce "award"?
Pronounced /əˈwɔːd/.
Etymology
From Middle English awarden, from Anglo-Norman awarder, from Medieval Latin *exwardare, from Latin ex (“out”) + Medieval Latin wardare, guardare (“to observe, regard, guard”); see ward, guard, regard.