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

• honor
• award

Noun

• price
• bounty
• bonus

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

Those who are willing to take on the challenge will be rewarded with lots of photo-worthy landmarks along the Alum Cave Trail (one of several trails that’ll get you nearly to the top) like Inspiration Point, Arch Rock, and Alum Cave Bluffs. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025

Taco Bell rewards members can get a medium Mountain Dew Baja Midnight for free Aug. 15 by spending $5 or more on the Taco Bell app. —Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025

Noun

And yes, reward failure as the tuition fee for success. —London Business School, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Other ways to order McDonald's online While the new online ordering system may be more convenient, long-standing customers may opt to order food through other online systems to rack up rewards points. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for reward

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

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