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

Maps can reward sneaky players and flankers without causing spawns to flip easily. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Valenzuela rewarded his manager by getting a complete-game victory despite giving up four runs, nine hits and walking seven. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Noun

Last month, the Biden administration offered a $20 million reward for an IRGC member charged in a murder-for-hire plot targeting former national security adviser John Bolton. —Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Making The Postseason Correlates To Sponsorship Growth In a clear indicator that clubs that invest in winning and reach the postseason reap rewards, teams that miss the postseason for three consecutive season see one-third the number of sponsorship growth. —Maury Brown, Forbes, 24 Oct. 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