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award/prize

Whoever breaks the school record for the high jump will get an .



Could I use "prize" to replace "award" here without changing its meaning? Thanks.

I always think of a "prize" as something won in an overt contest or competition so I would definitely use "prize" instead of "award". To me, an "award" is something granted for good work(s) ie: the award granted to the person who comes in at the top of the class (this would not be a contest/competition per se) or the award someone is given for doing good community works, etc.
They mean approximately the same here, but:
An "award" might be anything, such as a certificate of achievement.
A "prize" might imply that something of inherent value will be awarded, even if it's only a lollipop.
They mean approximately the same here, but:
An "award" might be anything, such as a certificate of achievement.
A "prize" might imply that something of inherent value will be awarded, even if it's only a lollipop.

I disagree. A "prize" is something you win. You don't get a prize for 15 years of community service - you get an award. You don't get an award for winning a race - you get a prize.
Previous threads:
Prize or award? - prize is something you win (possibly an object), award is more formal and will likely consist of a certificate.
reward/prize/award - based on WR dictionary, "prize" can be synonymous to "award," plus examples of usage: Nobel Prize, Academy Award.
Award vs. Prize - "An award is usually a token of appreciation for doing something well. A prize is given if you win something by being better than others at it. A prize is usually a thing or money, while an award is often a certificate." (Tepatria)


Prize:
AE: Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary of American English: reward, something offered in a competition/game

BE: Cambridge Advanced Learner's, OED: something [valuable] given for succeeding in a competition or for an achievements

Dictionary.com: a reward for a victory, something won in a lottery. Synonim: premium.

Award:
M-W: something given on basis of merit/need
Cambridge Dictionary of American English, Cambridge Advanced Learner's, OED :
verb:to give (money or a prize) following an official decision.
noun: Jesse Owens award(M-W), the Academy Award(CAL), something awarded (OED)

Dictionary.com
verb:to give as due or merited; assign or bestow: to award prizes.
noun:something awarded, as a payment or medal.


The way I see it, everybody's right. Some dictionaries emphasise one aspect, some the other. Regional differences play a part in this, too.

Nevertheless, see signature below.
In common usage the designation prize or award is at the discretion of the group [often a committee] that is going to make the presentation. If they call a prize an award it is going to be an award to the competitors. Also, some awards or prizes have become so common that the name has become the aware or prize. I am thinking of art contests where the judges or jury consider that the contestants vie for Ribbons, the first place winner might call it an award and the second place winner call it a prize. These words have been interchanged by usage to the point that only a studious writer would bother to confirm their dictionary definitions. For myself, I've always considered an award something without monetary value and a prize something worth money.
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