- The definition of prize is something that has received an award, is worthy of an award or is the award.
An example of prize used as an adjective is in the phrase "prize check," which means a check given as an award.
- Prize is defined as something given to a winner of a contest, or something of value taken by force.
- An example of a prize is a gold trophy to a winner of a race.
- An example of a prize is a dictator who is captured by an opposing army.
- Prize means to place high value on.
An example of prize is to love a cherished gift from one's grandmother.
- Obsolete to set a value upon; price
- to value highly; esteem
Origin: Middle English pris: see price
- something offered or given to the winner of a contest
- something won in a game of chance, lottery, etc.
- a reward, premium, or the like
- anything worth striving for; any enviable or highly valued possession
- Archaic a contest or match
- that has received a prize: a prize novel
- worthy of a prize; first-rate
- given as a prize
- Obsolete the act of capturing
- something taken by force; esp., a captured enemy ship and its cargo
- Dialectal
- a tool for prying; lever
- leverage
Origin: Middle English prise, a taking hold from OFr, a taking from feminine past participle of prendre, to take from Classical Latin prehendere: see prehensile
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
noun
- Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.
- Something worth striving for; a highly desirable possession.
- Offered or given as a prize: a prize cup.
- Given a prize, or likely to win a prize: a prize cow.
- Worthy of a prize; first-class: our prize azaleas.
- To value highly; esteem or treasure. See Synonyms at appreciate.
- To estimate the worth of; evaluate.
Origin: Alteration of Middle English pris, value, price, reward; see price.
noun
- Something seized by force or taken as booty, especially an enemy ship and its cargo captured at sea during wartime.
- The act of seizing; capture.
Origin: Alteration of Middle English prise, from Old French, from feminine past participle of prendre, from Latin prehendere, prēndere, to seize; see ghend- in Indo-European roots.
also prise
transitive verb prized prized also prised, priz·ing also pris·ing, priz·es also pris·es- Leverage.
- Chiefly Southern U.S. Something used as a lever or for prying.
Origin: From Middle English prise, instrument for prying, probably from prise, the taking of something; see prize2.