A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
"The jury waited anxiously for the award to be read aloud after hours of deliberation on the disputed contract."
In plain English: An award is something you get given to you for doing really well or winning a competition.
"The coach gave the team an award for winning the championship."
Usage: In legal contexts, an award refers to a formal decision made by arbitrators to resolve a dispute outside of court. In everyday usage, however, this term is most commonly used to mean a prize or recognition given for achievement.
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge
"The judge awarded him a year in prison for his role in the conspiracy."
In plain English: To give someone something special for doing well or achieving something.
"The committee will award the grant to the most promising student project."
Usage: Use "award" when giving something like money or a prize based on a formal decision, such as a court verdict or an official competition result. Do not use it for casual gifts or personal favors, which should be described with words like "give" or "present."
The word "award" comes from the Middle English verb awarden, which traces back to a French form meaning "to observe or guard." It entered English with the sense of giving something as a result of observation or judgment, evolving from roots related to watching and protecting.