Both of these words can be used as a noun and a verb. Though their meanings are different, both refer to giving someone something because of something they have done.
Award is always positive, as one could guess from it’s a- prefix. You can award someone, award something to someone, or give an award to someone, because they have done something good. Often competitions give awards to the winners; however, medals and trophies given at sports competitions, are not awards, because they are symbolic, not spendable. An award may come with a trophy, such as the Academy Awards, but the trophy itself is not the award. In the case of the Academy Awards, the actual award is only the title, an honor which lasts forever. The award is recognition.
Many awards have some concrete value, usually financial. Some typical reasons for getting financial awards include getting the best score on a test, winning a creative competition, and saving people from danger!
We can also use the word award in less official ways:
Because I arrived first, I was awarded with the best seat in the house.
This just means that I found the best seat because I came first.
Reward, in contrast, is different from award, but there is a large overlap that may confuse you.
Basically, most awards are also rewards, but most rewards are not awards. Reward is much more general than award. Rewards are things you get that you deserve in return for what you have done, and they can even be bad—although, if not said otherwise, rewards are good:
Traveling is very rewarding experience.
This just means that one "gets a lot out of’ traveling"—pleasure, learning, etc.
Rewards can also be entirely concrete:
The police are offering a $1,000 reward for any information about the murder.
And rewards can be bad, for bad deeds:
Liars are often rewarded with loneliness.
It should be easy to remember that re-wards are things you get in re-turn for whatever you do, like karma. While A-wards are things you get for being #1!
More Examples of How to Use "Award" in a Sentence
- I was so excited when I found out I had won the award for Salesman of the Year.
- It was a great honor to be nominated for the award.
- The award ceremony was a lot of fun—especially since I didn't embarrass myself this time.
- The school awarded the team with a trophy for their efforts.
- Dr. Rogers was awarded with a long-term grant that will allow him to focus on his research for years to come.
- This award was created to honor people who contribute to the community and are making a difference
- I am taking writing classes with an award-winning screenwriter.
- The three undergraduate students were awarded large scholarships for their outstanding work.
- Michele was awarded a merit badge for her exceptional work as a scout.
- The Oscars are widely considered to be the most important and prestigious awards in the film industry.
- One of the most prestigious awards in the world is the Nobel Prize.
More Examples of How to Use "Reward" in a Sentence
- Rewarding someone for a job well done is a great way to show them that you appreciate their efforts.
- A good night's sleep is often the best reward for all the hard work you've put in during the day.
- For once, I would like to be rewarded for the work I have done for this company.
- Students who get good grades get rewards like extra recess time or pizza parties on Friday nights.
- As a parent, I try not to reward bad behavior.
- Giving a dog a treat after following a command is an easy way to reward them, and can help reinforce the behavior you're trying to teach.
- I have not saved a dime since joining the company's new rewards program.
- A reward can be a physical thing, such as money or a gift, or it can be an intangible thing, such as praise or respect.
- Jenny was rewarded with a cash bonus after putting in many extra hours at work this quarter.