A consolation prize is a small prize which is given to a person who fails to win a competition.
2. countable noun
A consolation prize is something that is arranged for or is given to a person to make them feel happier when they have failed to achieve something better.
Her appointment was seen as a consolation prize after she lost the election.
consolation prize in British English
noun
a prize given to console a loser of a game
consolation prize in American English
a prize given to a contestant who does well but does not win, or who wins in a match for those previously defeated
Examples of 'consolation prize' in a sentence
consolation prize
Barry had brought them home, one in each pocket, as a consolation prize.
Skelton, Alison Scott AN OLDER WOMAN (2001)
Perhaps it'll be a kind of consolation prize because this time your man is going down - make no mistake about that.
Meek, M R D A WORM OF DOUBT (2001)
As for the rest of you, we have this lovely octopus as a consolation prize.
Isobel Bird CIRCLE OF THREE: BOOK 12: WRITTEN IN THE STARS (2001)