prize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
    award.
    • the prize was a free trip to Europe
  2. noun goods or money obtained illegally
    swag; booty; pillage; plunder; dirty money; loot.
  3. noun something given as a token of victory
    trophy.
  4. verb hold dear
    treasure; appreciate; value.
    • I prize these old photographs
  5. verb to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
    lever; prise; jimmy; pry.
    • The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail
  6. verb regard highly; think much of
    respect; prise; esteem; value.
    • I respect his judgement
    • We prize his creativity
  7. adjective satellite of superior grade
    prime; quality; select; choice.
    • choice wines
    • prime beef
    • prize carnations
    • quality paper
    • select peaches

WordNet

Prize noun
Etymology
F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p. p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some senses, as 2 (b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and also Price.
Definitions
  1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
    I will depart my pris, or may prey, by deliberation. Chaucer.
    His own prize, Whom formerly he had in battle won. Spenser.
  2. Hence, specifically; (a) (Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel. Kent. Brande & C. (b) An honor or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.
    I'll never wrestle for prize more. Shak.
    I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize. Dryden.
    (c) That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
  3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
    I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii. 14.
  4. A contest for a reward; competition. Obs. Shak.
  5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever. Written also prise.
Prize transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. Written also prise.
Prize transitive verb
Etymology
F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prized ; present participle & verbal noun Prizing
Definitions
  1. To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
    A goodly price that I was prized at. Zech. xi. 13.
    I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor. Shak.
  2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem. "[I] do love, prize, honor you. " Shak.
    I prized your person, but your crown disdain. Dryden.
Prize noun
Etymology
F. prix price. See 3d Prize.
Definitions
  1. Estimation; valuation. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913