Definition of: award

(ə·wôrd′) v.t.
1. To adjudge as due, as by legal decisions.
2. To bestow as the result of a contest or examination, as a prize. See synonyms under ALLOT.
—noun
1. A decision, as by a judge, umpire, or arbitrator.
2. The document containing it.
3. That which is awarded.
4. A badge, medal, citation, or the like, given for meritorious service, as to a soldier. [<AF awarder, OF esguarder observe, examine <es- out (<L ex-) + guarder watch <Gmc.]
—a·ward′a·ble adjective
—a·ward′er noun