earn
To gain (success, reward, recognition) through applied effort or work.
Example
“You can have the s'mores: you earned them, clearing the walkway of snow so well.”
Other meanings
To receive payment for work or for a role or position held (regardless of whether effort was applied or whether the remuneration is deserved or commensurate).
“He earns seven million dollars a year as CEO.  My bank account is only earning one percent interest.”
To receive payment for work.
“Now that you are earning, you can start paying me rent.”
Example sentences
Word history
From Old English "earnian".
Where this comes from
This definition is adapted from “earn” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above, published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.