reward

1 of 2

verb

re·​ward ri-ˈwȯrd 

rewarded; rewarding; rewards

transitive verb

1

: to give a reward to or for

2

: recompense

rewardable

ri-ˈwȯr-də-bəl 

adjective

rewarder noun

reward

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that is given in return for good or evil done or received or that is offered or given for some service or attainment

the police offered a reward for his capture

2

: a stimulus (such as food) that is administered to an organism and serves to reinforce a desired response

Synonyms

Verb

• award

Noun

• bounty
• price

Examples of reward in a Sentence

Verb

She rewarded herself by buying a new pair of shoes.

the firefighters were rewarded by the city for their heroic actions

Noun

The contest offered a cash reward to the first person who could breed a blue rose.

Hard work brings its own rewards.

Members will receive a discount in reward for getting friends or family to join.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This holiday season, alongside rewarding top-performing employees, celebrate exceptional fathers in your workforce. —Elpida Kokkota, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Season 1’s cast was rewarded for their performances: Lee Jung-jae with an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award, and former cast members Oh Young-soo, Lee You-mi, and Jung Ho-yeon with various accolades for their first season characters. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024

Noun

The killing sparked a huge manhunt, with the New York Police Department publicizing surveillance images of the suspect and a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Earn rewards on your spending: See the best credit cards According to the 2024 EBRI report and others, credit card debt is more pervasive among seniors than other kinds of debt. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French regarder, rewarder to look back at, regard, care for, recompense — more at regard entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reward

• just reward

Kids Definition

reward

1 of 2 verb

re·​ward ri-ˈwȯrd 

: to give a reward to or for

rewarder noun

reward

2 of 2 noun

1

: something (as money) given or offered in return for a service (as the return of something lost)

2

: a stimulus (as food) that is given to an organism after a correct or desired way of behaving and that makes the behavior more probable in the future

Medical Definition

reward

1 of 2 transitive verb

re·​ward ri-ˈwȯ(ə)rd 

: to give a reward to or for

reward

2 of 2 noun

: a stimulus (as food) that serves to reinforce a desired response