reward

noun

1. Something of value given in return for an act.

   “For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward.”

2. A prize promised for a certain deed or catch

   “The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters.”

3. one's place in heaven; God's judgment in the afterlife; death

   “And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with mee, to giue euery man according as his worke shall be.”

   “Your daddy ever tell you how Uncle Mac come to his reward?”

   “When I get my reward my work will all be done / And I will sit back in my chair between the Father and the Son / No more holes to fill and no more rocks to break / And no more loading boxes on the trucks for someone else to take”

4. The result of an action, whether good or bad.

   “Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?”

   “Christian Benteke's first-half goal was just reward for Villa's undoubted superiority but Bradford managed to survive without further damage until half-time, before scoring the goal that takes them to Wembley for the first time since 1996.”

verb

1. (transitive)To give a reward to or for.

   “Why are you rewarding the child for misbehaving?”

   “Why are you rewarding that bad behaviour?”

2. (transitive)To be a recompense for.

   “Decorations are meant to reward the most meritous acts and services.”

   “The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.”

3. (obsolete, transitive)To give (something) as a reward.

   “Thenne syr Marhaus departed and within two dayes his damoysel brought hym where as was a grete tornement that the lady de Vawse has cryed […] And there syr Marhaus dyd so nobly that he was renomed & had somtyme doune fourty knyghtes and soo the serklet of gold was rewarded hym”

   “Thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.”