Award

Not to be confused withDamages.

For rulings on pay rates and working conditions in Australia, seeIndustrial award.

Some of the trophies earned by theNJROTCunit ofPort Charlotte High School.

Anaward,sometimes called adistinction,is given to a recipient as a token ofrecognitionof excellence in a certain field.When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as adecoration.

An award may be described by three aspects: 1) to whom it is given to 2) what 3) by whom, all varying according to purpose.

The recipient is often an individual, such as a student, athlete, an individual or representative of a group of people, be it anorganisation,asports teamor a wholecountry.The award item may be a decoration or an insignia suitable for wearing, such as amedal,badge,award pinorrosette.It can also be a token object such as acertificate,diploma,championship belt,trophyorplaque.The award may also be accompanied by atitle of honor,and an object of direct cash value, such asprize moneyor ascholarship.

Furthermore, anhonorable mentionis an award given, typically ineducation,that does not confer the recipient(s) a higher standing but is considered worth mentioning in anhonourableway. An award may be conferred as astate decorationby asovereignstate,dynastyor otherpublic authority(seefount of honour), or a private organisation or individual. The latter may also include ecclesiastical authorities, such as in the case ofecclesiastical awards.

For example, theNobel Prizerecognizes contributions to society, while thePulitzer Prizehonors literary achievements. An award may be a public acknowledgment of excellence without any tangible token or prize.

Awards forsports tournamentsoften take the form ofcups,following a tradition harking back to the ancient Greek tripod given to winners in athletic contests.TheStanley Cupis a modern example. In contrast, awards for employee recognition often take the form of plaques or crystal pieces.An award may carry a monetaryprizegiven to the recipient.

Finally, an award may recognize participation rather than victory. There is controversy regarding the appropriateness of participation awards for students inUnited Statesschools.

A relative field to awards isphaleristics,anauxiliary science of historyandnumismaticswhich studiesorders,fraternitiesandaward items,such asmedalsand other decorations.

See also

• Lists of awards
  • Military awards and decorations
  • Civil awards and decorations
    • Ecclesiastical award
    • Ecclesiastical decoration
• Prize
• Title
• Order of precedence
• Order (distinction)

Further reading

• English, James F. (2008).The Economy of Prestige: Prizes, Awards, and the Circulation of Cultural Value.Harvard University Press.ISBN9780674030435.