Memento vs. Award — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 18, 2024
A memento is a keepsake or souvenir for personal remembrance, while an award is a recognition of achievement or excellence.
Difference Between Memento and Award
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mementos and awards serve different purposes; a memento is a personal keepsake that holds sentimental value and serves as a reminder of a particular person, place, or event. It is often kept for personal reasons, without the implication of a specific achievement. On the other hand, an award is given as a form of recognition for achievement, excellence, or merit in various fields, including arts, sciences, sports, and more. Awards often come in the form of trophies, medals, certificates, or titles, and they carry prestige and honor.
Mementos can be virtually anything that holds personal significance, such as photographs, ticket stubs, small objects, or even a piece of jewelry. They are usually chosen or retained because of the memories or emotions they evoke, rather than for their inherent value. Whereas awards are selected and given by others (individuals, organizations, or institutions) as a token of recognition and to honor the recipient for their specific accomplishments or contributions.
The value of a memento lies in its emotional or sentimental significance to the owner, often unrelated to its monetary worth. In contrast, awards not only carry emotional value for the recipients but can also enhance their reputation, credibility, and professional standing in their field. The receipt of an award can be a milestone in a person’s career or life, acknowledging their hard work, talent, or contribution.
Mementos are generally more personal and can be kept privately, shared with close family and friends, or passed down as heirlooms. They help individuals reminisce about past experiences, people, and places. Awards, however, are usually public and often announced or presented during ceremonies or through official channels, serving as a public acknowledgment of one's achievements and fostering recognition from peers, the community, or the wider public.
While mementos can be self-acquired or given by someone close as a token of memory, awards are bestowed upon individuals or groups by a third party, usually following a selection or judgment process. This process often involves criteria or standards that the recipient has met or surpassed, highlighting the competitive or evaluative nature of receiving an award.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To remember a person, place, or event
To recognize achievement or excellence
Value
Sentimental
Recognition and honor
Nature
Personal and private
Public and official
Source
Self-acquired or given by someone close
Bestowed by a third party
Significance
Emotional
Professional and emotional
Compare with Definitions
Memento
A keepsake for personal remembrance.
They exchanged mementos before moving to different countries.
Award
An acknowledgment of excellence in a certain field.
The film won several awards at the international festival.
Memento
An item of sentimental value.
The concert ticket was more than paper; it was a memento of her first live music experience.
Award
Recognition or evidence of merit.
The scholarship was an award for her academic excellence.
Memento
Something that serves to remember a past experience.
His grandfather's watch was a cherished memento of their time together.
Award
A result of a decision by a judge or body in a competition.
The jury's award went to the most innovative project.
Memento
A physical object kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event.
She kept a seashell as a memento from her beach vacation.
Award
A trophy, title, certificate, medal, or similar honor indicating achievement.
He was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony.
Memento
A souvenir brought back from a journey.
He collected mugs as mementos from every city he visited.
Award
A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.
She received an award for her groundbreaking research.
Memento
An object kept as a reminder of a person or event
You can purchase a memento of your visit
Award
An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.
Memento
A keepsake.
Award
To grant as merited or due
Awarded prizes to the winners.
Memento
A keepsake; an object kept as a reminder of a place or event.
I kept the shell as a memento of my visit to the seashore.
Award
To grant an amount or other benefit legally due
Awarded damages to the plaintiff.
Memento
A hint, suggestion, token, or memorial, to awaken memory; that which reminds or recalls to memory; a souvenir.
Seasonable mementos may be useful.
Award
Something awarded or granted, as for merit.
Memento
A reminder of past events
Award
An amount or other benefit granted as legally due.
Award
(legal) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Award
(legal) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Award
A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
Award
A negotiated minimum wage that is set for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award.
Award
(intransitive) To determine; to make or grant an award.
Award
(transitive) To give (an award).
Four or five of these medals are awarded every year.
Award
(transitive) To give (a person) an award.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case.
The arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant.
To reviewThe wrongful sentence, and award a new.
Award
To determine; to make an award.
Award
A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
An award had been given against.
Award
The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Award
A grant made by a law court;
He criticized the awarding of compensation by the court
Award
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Award
Something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
The prize was a free trip to Europe
Award
Give, especially as a reward;
Bestow honors and prizes at graduation
Award
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Award
Bestow an honor upon
Common Curiosities
Can an award serve as a memento?
Yes, an award can serve as a memento if it holds personal significance and evokes memories for the recipient.
What distinguishes a memento from an award?
A memento is a personal keepsake for remembrance, while an award is a recognition of achievement or excellence.
Is the value of a memento always sentimental?
Primarily, yes. The value of a memento lies in its sentimental significance, though it may also have monetary value.
Do awards impact one's career?
Yes, receiving an award can significantly impact an individual's career by enhancing their reputation and credibility in their field.
How does one receive a memento?
Mementos can be self-acquired or given by friends or family as tokens of remembrance.
Can one buy a memento?
Yes, one can buy a memento, especially as a souvenir from a place visited or an event attended.
Can a memento be something intangible?
While mementos are usually tangible objects, intangible memories or experiences can also serve as mementos in a broader sense.
How do mementos contribute to one's life?
Mementos contribute by preserving memories, reinforcing personal identity, and fostering emotional connections to the past.
Do awards always come from professional achievements?
Not always. Awards can recognize achievements in various areas, including arts, sports, academics, and community service.
Who decides what constitutes an award?
Awards are decided by individuals, panels, organizations, or institutions based on set criteria or standards.
Is it common to display mementos and awards?
It's common to display awards publicly and mementos in personal spaces, though preferences vary.
Are awards given in formal settings?
Awards are often given in formal settings, like ceremonies, but can also be announced or presented in less formal environments.
Can the significance of a memento fade over time?
The significance of a memento may evolve, but it typically remains a cherished item due to the memories it represents.
Can awards be given posthumously?
Yes, awards can be given posthumously to honor an individual's contributions or achievements.
What makes an award prestigious?
An award's prestige comes from the reputation of the giving body, the criteria for selection, and the caliber of past recipients.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
