An award is something given to a person or group of people to recognize excellence in a certain field. Awards are often signified by trophies, certificates, plaques, medals, badges, pins or ribbons. An award can simply be the public acknowledgment of excellence.

One common type of award is the 'employee of the month.' award, in which typically the recipients' names are listed in a prominent place in the business for that month.

Lifetime achievement awards

A lifetime achievement award is an award given to an individual to honor his or her life-long contributions. Many organizations give out such awards, including entertainment, sports, academia, and charity.

Examples:

• The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award
• The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

See also

• List of prizes, medals, and awards

Other uses

In Australia an award is also the minimum wage for a particular occupation, based on the skills required for a particular occupation. See award (Australian industrial relations).