Award vs. Reward
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Award and Reward is that an Award is a special honor. It generally connected to a conflict or social event. A Reward can be something you get for making an exertion, or as an incentive.

Difference Between Award and Reward
Award vs. Reward
“Award” that refers to a prize or certificate given to someone for his achievements or milestone or compensation as a result of an official or legal proceeding whereas “reward” that means a “prize or a token given to someone for his effort or service or the result of someone’s good or bad deeds.
Award vs. Reward
An award accorded for good work or enormous contribution in particular areas, attainment, etc. On the other hand, a reward is granted for actions done, services rendered, selfless act, helping someone, meeting targets in time, etc.
Award vs. Reward
An award announced while a reward normally given in private.
Award vs. Reward
Nominations are done for every award. As opposed to rewarding, where no such nominations are done.
Award vs. Reward
An award is in the shape of money, medals, scholarship, trophy, etc. Conversely, a reward can be in the shape of financial or non-financial benefit.
Award vs. Reward
The board of experts determines an award, but a reward is determined by the person who acquired some benefit from the act done by another person.
Awardnoun
(legal) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Rewardnoun
Something of value given in return for an act.
For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.Awardnoun
(legal) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Rewardnoun
A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' postersAwardnoun
A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
Rewardnoun
The result of an action, whether good or bad.
Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?Awardnoun
(obsolete) Care, keeping.
Rewardverb
(transitive) To give a reward to or for.
Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?Why are you rewarding that bad behaviour?Awardnoun
A negotiated minimum wage that is set for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award.
Rewardverb
(transitive) To recompense.
Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.Awardverb
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge
the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainantRewardverb
To give (something) as a reward.
Awardverb
(intransitive) To determine; to make or grant an award.
Rewardnoun
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing;
the wages of sin is deathvirtue is its own rewardAwardverb
(transitive) To give an award (prize) for merit.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.Rewardnoun
payment made in return for a service rendered
Awardnoun
a grant made by a law court;
he criticized the awarding of compensation by the courtRewardnoun
an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
Awardnoun
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
an award for braveryRewardnoun
the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
Awardnoun
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
the prize was a free trip to EuropeRewardnoun
benefit resulting from some event or action;
it turned out to my advantagereaping the rewards of generosityAwardverb
give, especially as a reward;
bestow honors and prizes at graduationRewardverb
bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiersThe scout was rewarded for courageus actionAwardverb
give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchersRewardverb
strengthen and support with rewards;
Let's reinforce good behaviorAwardverb
bestow an honor upon
Rewardverb
act or give recompensation in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
Comparison Chart
Award | Reward |
An award is an honor or respect (such as a medal or trophy) that bestowed for merit, generally after a decision made by a committee of judges. | A reward is anything (generally money) given in return for a person's service, merit, hardship, etc. |
Structure | |
Medals, Cups, Scholarship, Ribbons, Certificate, Prize, Cash, etc. | Financial or non-financial etc. |
Decided by | |
Expert Panel | Individual |
Accorded for | |
An excellent work, Achievement, Contribution in a specific field, Winning a contest or game. | Difficulty, Honesty, and Loyalty. Helping someone in need, Merit, etc. |
Demonstration | |
Public | Private |
Nominations | |
Yes | No |
Award vs. Reward
Awards are tokens of appreciation, which given to individuals for their achievements. It called a symbol of recognition to an individual for their achievements. Rewards, on the other hand, are also recognized, but it is a kind of acknowledgment to individual contributions. Rewards can also be said to be a support an individual. By getting an award, people endorse that you have done something great whereas you rewarded for finding and returning some one’s valuable things. While the award is always associated with some positive things, and the reward is associated with good and bad things. Awards publicly presented. Rewards, on the other hand, are only intimate or personal affairs. While awards get announced, rewards are not. When awards are official or public affairs, rewards are just the opposite. Awards are ‘awarded,’ and rewards are ‘given.’ An award is an appreciation that one gets after a decision in that regard taken by definite persons or judges or a committee of judges. But rewards are not taken as such, and most of the time it is an individual who takes the decision. An award is a token given for merit, but a reward is something that given for a person’s merit, service or hardship. Awards can come in the form of commemorative plaques, medals, trophies, certificates, titles, badges, pins and cash. Rewards most of time are associated with money or a promotion or like that.
What is the Award?
The award is an appreciation which conferred to individuals or an organization for attainment something great. They are generally in the shape of gifts, prizes, trophies, accolade, cash, certificates, etc. Awards are a label of someone’s excellence or immense contribution in a specific field. They are also taking into account when someone breaks a record. The importance of an award based upon the reputation or status of the award giver, i.e., awarded. Normally, an award function organized for giving an award. Selections are made for each award to disclose the name of equally desirable and competent personalities. The individuals or organizations who meet the specified criteria are thus nominated, and finally, the best man between all awarded. The determination to choose the best man is a difficult task, so the judgment to pick the correct person is done by either a panel of experts or by voting where people selects the winner or by award organizers. Following are the names of some popular awards:
- People’s Choice Award (Entertainment)
- E-Commerce Award (Business)
- Miss Universe Award (Beauty)
- Oscar Award (Film)
What is the Reward?
The reward is the gain (financial or otherwise) given to an individual for his hard work to achieve anything. It is equitable return for the services rendered, by an individual. A reward is gratefulness, given for good work, faithfulness, helping some when he is in need. It is a kind of stimulation or incentive to acknowledge a person’s effort in completing something. The rewards not publicized, they are taking into account in private but can be given in front of the public too. In big organizations, employees are paid off or rewarded when they gather out the target in the given time or for their high performance, so they are given accretion in their salaries, or they promoted to a higher position. This is accomplished to encourage their hard work in the future.
- Tangible Rewards: Tangible rewards are money, vacations, and material objects.
- Intangible Rewards: Intangible rewards can be things such as prizes, plaques, and awards given at annual celebrations for exceptional performance.
ConclusionRetention aside the earlier differences, there are some things in usual, in the two terms like they both are a mark of something positive is done, which is of considerable importance and recognition in the eyes of people. Furthermore, it is also a sign of dignity as well as respect.