Award: Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：grant a prize (award)

award 🔊

/əˈwɔːrd/

vt.

To officially give someone a prize, money, or honor for something good they did.

Award ceremony scene: Olympic athlete receiving a gold medal on podium

grant a prize 🔊

➕

/ɡrænt ə praɪz/

vt.

To formally give a prize, medal, or honor to someone in recognition of an achievement or good deed.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English 'awarden', from Old North French 'eswarder', meaning to decide or judge.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'award' as 'a ward' – like a trophy guarded for the winner.

📖 Example

The committee will award the gold medal to the champion at the Olympic ceremony. 🔊 The committee will present the gold medal to the champion during the Olympic ceremony.

🔗 Collocations

award a prize – to give a prize formally in recognition

award a contract – to officially grant a contract to a bidder

award damages – to grant compensation in a legal judgment

🔄 Synonyms

grant (vt.) – to give something formally or officially, often as a right or favor

bestow (vt.) – to confer or present something as an honor or gift

present (vt.) – to give something in a ceremony or formal occasion

🚫 Antonyms

withhold (vt.) – to refuse to give or grant something

deny (vt.) – to refuse to allow or grant a request or award

🌱 Derivatives

awardee (n.) – a person who receives an award

awarding (n.) – the act of giving an award

📖 Cultural Story

Originally a legal term for a judicial decision, 'award' evolved to mean granting prizes or honors, reflecting its use in formal ceremonies and competitions.