rewarded; rewarding; rewards
1
: to give a reward to or for
rewarded the students with extra time at recess
2
: recompense
rewarded the extra work with a cash bonus
rewarder
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.
That lying crook got his just rewards.
Members get a discount in reward for getting friends to subscribe.
2
: a stimulus (such as food) that is administered to an organism and serves to reinforce a desired response
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
Robert A. Pape In The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
But the more immediate question is whether a show holds your attention and rewards your time.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Attorney's Office's anonymous tip line 88-CRIME has put out its own $102,500 reward.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reward
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Verb
The political market rewards maximalism.
—Robert A. Pape In The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
But the more immediate question is whether a show holds your attention and rewards your time.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Thousands of additional tips have poured into the Pima County Sheriff’s Department since last week, when Savannah Guthrie announced a $1-million reward for information that leads to the return of her mother.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The Pima County Attorney's Office's anonymous tip line 88-CRIME has put out its own $102,500 reward.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reward
Cite this Entry
“Reward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reward. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reward
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
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