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An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.

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 awarded to an individual, a student, athlete or representative of a group of people, be it an organisation, a sports team or a whole country. The award item may be a decoration or an insignia suitable for wearing, such as a medal, badge, award pin or rosette. It can also be a token object such as a certificate, diploma, championship belt, trophy or plaque. The award may also be accompanied by a title of honor, and an object of direct cash value, such as prize money or a scholarship.

Furthermore, an honorable mention is an award given, typically in education, that does not confer the recipient(s) a higher standing but is considered worth mentioning in an honourable way. An award may be conferred as a state decoration by a sovereign state, dynasty or other public authority (see fount of honour), or a private organisation or individual. The latter may also include ecclesiastical authorities, such as in the case of ecclesiastical awards.

For example, the Nobel Prize recognizes contributions to society, while the Pulitzer Prize honors literary achievements. An award may be a public acknowledgment of excellence without any tangible token or prize.

Awards for sports tournaments often take the form of cups, following a tradition harking back to the ancient Greek tripod given to winners in athletic contests. The Stanley Cup is a modern example. In contrast, awards for employee recognition often take the form of plaques or crystal pieces. An award may carry a monetary prize given to the recipient.

Finally, an award may recognize participation rather than victory. There is controversy regarding the appropriateness of participation awards for students in United States schools.

A relative field to awards is phaleristics, an auxiliary science of history and numismatics which studies orders, fraternities and award items, such as medals and 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)

References

1. "Definition of award in English". English Oxford Living Dictionaries. Archived from the original on September 25, 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
2. "Meaning of "award" in the English Dictionary". Cambridge Dictionary. Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
3. Sowder, Amy (April 2008). "Ancient Greek Bronze Vessels". Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
4. "Corporate Awards: A Beginner's Guide". Viking Trophies Awards and Recognition. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
5. Ross, Martha (25 September 2015). "Should kids in sports get trophies just for participating?". The Mercury News. Retrieved 1 May 2019.

Further reading

• English, James F. (2008). The Economy of Prestige: Prizes, Awards, and the Circulation of Cultural Value. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674030435.

v t e Phaleristics
Auxiliary science of history and numismatics about orders, decorations, and medals
Distinctions (Lists)	By conferee Founts of honour* States and their national/public/official authorities Dynasties heads of currently or formerly sovereign royal families Private Ecclesiastical Organisations Commercial (Self-styled order) By type Orders Order of chivalry Military order Colonial order Order of merit Royal family order Titles (Styles, Post-nominal) By function Grand master Chancellor Treasurer Assessor Bailiff Prior Chaplain Master of ceremonies Grand Cross/Grand Cordon Commander Officer Hospitaller Knight/Dame Postulant Squire Page Jurisdictions Charter Bailiwick Chapter Commandery Obedience Grand Lodge Lodge Others, by field Military (List) List of highest Campaign medal Law enforcement Civilian (List) Society Peace Intellectual freedom Human rights Law Humanitarianism Politics Volunteer Culture Architecture Art Film History Literature Music Philosophy Poetry Theatre Science Religion-related Ecclesiastical Sports Scouting Beauty By insignia (Named after people) For wearing (decorations) Formal Collar Grand Cross/Grand Cordon with sash Medal Necklet Medal bar Medal ribbon Other Rosette Award pin Lapel pin Collar pin Tie pin Badge Heraldic Pilgrim Epaulette Ribbon Ring Button Campaign Service Shoulder mark Prizes Trophy War Plaquette Rosette Money Prizes known as the Nobel of a field
Ceremonies and events	Accolade Vigil Feoffment Passage fee Festival Vow Collar day
Related organisations	Fraternity Confraternity Fraternal order Fraternities and sororities Secret society Guild Syndicate Learned society Fellowship Honor society Hereditary society Club Gentlemen's club International Commission for Orders of Chivalry Magical organization Religious order
Related concepts	Chivalry Numismatics Heraldry Vexillology Service flag Battle honour Campaign streamer Nobility Order of precedence Honorary degree Devotional medal Awareness ribbon Code of conduct Code of honor High society
* = Direct or indirect reference to fount of honour is the accepted criterion for official distinctions Category:Orders, decorations, and medals Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Orders, decorations, and medals Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Awards

• Awards
• Award items
• Cultural conventions