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

The new system tended to reward the most strident and ideologically extreme candidates on the left or the right, which deepened the polarization of American politics. —David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2024

To top it all off, there are three national parks within a couple of hours from downtown, rewarding travelers with lush mountain views, endless wilderness, and untouched beauty, where residents can go camping and hiking on weekends. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 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