Definition of REWARD

reward

Plural: rewards

Noun

  • a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
    • "virtue is its own reward"
  • payment made in return for a service rendered
  • an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
  • the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
  • benefit resulting from some event or action
    • "reaping the rewards of generosity"
  • Something of value given in return for an act.
  • A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
  • The result of an action, whether good or bad.

Verb

Verb Forms: rewarded, rewarding, rewards

  • To give recompense to for worthy behavior or service.
  • bestow honor or rewards upon
    • "The scout was rewarded for courageous action"
  • strengthen and support with rewards
  • act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
  • To give a reward to or for.
  • To be a recompense for.
  • To give (something) as a reward.

Examples

  • Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.
  • For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.
  • Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
  • The game rewarded her strategic thinking with a bonus for clearing her rack.
  • The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters.
  • Why are you rewarding that bad behaviour?
  • Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English reward, rewarde, from Old French reward (“reward”) (compare Old French regard, whence modern French regard, and also English regard through Middle French), from rewarder (“to reward”) (compare Old French reguarder), from re- + warder (“to guard, keep”) (compare Old French guarder); the Anglo-Norman forms are derived from Old Northern French variants of Old French, ultimately of Germanic (Frankish) origin. Compare regard, warden, guard. See more below.
Mostly displaced Old English mēd, whence Modern English meed. Displaced Old English lēan and edlēan.

Scrabble Score: 10

reward: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
reward: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
reward: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

reward: valid Words With Friends Word