Award

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /əˈwɔːd/

Definitions

1. A prize or recognition given to someone for their achievement, excellence, or contribution in a particular field
2. A formal accolade is granted to an individual in recognition of their accomplishments, merits, or distinctive contributions in a specific area
3. An acknowledgment in the form of a prize or certificate is bestowed upon someone for their notable deeds, skills, or impact in a certain domain

Etymology: The verb came into English in Middle English as "awarden," borrowed from Anglo-Norman "awarder," which meant to decide or adjudicate. Its ancestor was Medieval Latin "exwardare," built from Latin "ex" meaning "out" and "wardare," a variant of "guardare," meaning to observe, regard, or guard. The sense was essentially to look out and make a judgment, so the core idea was of deliberate assessment rather than of giving anything away. That judicial sense is the key to the noun. Someone who "awards" a prize is, at root, the one who has looked closely and decided who deserves it. The modern noun carries that same act of considered judgment, now applied to accomplishment, merit, or distinctive contribution rather than to a dispute. The word shares its family with "ward," "guard," and "regard," all descending from the same Germanic and Romance root for watching and looking out. Under the surface, "award" and "regard" are close cousins: both are about looking carefully at something and deciding what it is worth.

Synonyms: prize, honor, recognition

Antonyms: penalty, forfeiture