reward Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
    wages; payoff.
    • the wages of sin is death
    • virtue is its own reward
  2. noun payment made in return for a service rendered
  3. noun an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
    reinforcement.
  4. noun the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
  5. noun benefit resulting from some event or action
    advantage.
    • it turned out to my advantage
    • reaping the rewards of generosity
  6. verb bestow honor or rewards upon
    honour; honor.
    • Today we honor our soldiers
    • The scout was rewarded for courageous action
  7. verb strengthen and support with rewards
    reinforce.
    • Let's reinforce good behavior
  8. verb act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
    repay; pay back.

WordNet

Re*ward" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. rewarder, another form of regarder, of German origin. The original sense is, to look at, regard, hence, to regard as worthy, give a reward to. See Ward, Regard.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Rewarded; present participle & verbal noun Rewarding
Definitions
  1. To give in return, whether good or evil; -- commonly in a good sense; to requite; to recompense; to repay; to compensate.
    After the deed that is done, one doom shall reward, Mercy or no mercy as truth will accord. Piers Plowman.
    Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. 1 Sam. xxiv. 17.
    I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. Deut. xxxii. 41.
    God rewards those that have made use of the single talent. Hammond.
Re*ward" noun
Etymology
See Reward, v., and cf. Regard, n.
Definitions
  1. Regard; respect; consideration. Obs.
    Take reward of thine own value. Chaucer.
  2. That which is given in return for good or evil done or received; esp., that which is offered or given in return for some service or attainment, as for excellence in studies, for the return of something lost, etc.; recompense; requital.
    Thou returnest From flight, seditious angel, to receive Thy merited reward. Milton.
    Rewards and punishments do always presuppose something willingly done well or ill. Hooker.
  3. Hence, the fruit of one's labor or works.
    The dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward. Eccl. ix. 5.
  4. (Law) Compensation or remuneration for services; a sum of money paid or taken for doing, or forbearing to do, some act. Burrill. Syn. -- Recompense; compensation; remuneration; pay; requital; retribution; punishment.

Webster 1913