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Today it means

award

a prize; to give officially

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Where does the word "award" come from? It comes from Frankish wardon, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

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Where does the word "award" come from? It comes from Frankish wardon, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Award’s story begins in Frankish: wardon meant “to watch, guard.” A Frankish word related to 'ward'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as awarder. Norman French form of 'esguarder', to observe. It reached English by 1300s as award. Prizes called 'awards' date from the 1900s. Today, award means a prize; to give officially.

  1. Stage 1 · Frankish · ancient wardon "to watch, guard", a Frankish word related to 'ward'.
  2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval awarder "to decide after examination", Norman French form of 'esguarder', to observe.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s award "judicial decision", prizes called 'awards' date from the 1900s.

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