'Earned' definitions:

Definition of 'earned'

From: WordNet
adjective
Gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action; "a well-earned reputation for honesty"; "earned income"; "an earned run in baseball" [ant: unearned]

Definition of 'Earned'

From: GCIDE
  • Earn \Earn\ ([~e]rn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned ([~e]rnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Earning.] [AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arn[=o]n to reap, aran harvest, G. ernte, Goth. asans harvest, asneis hireling, AS. esne; cf. Icel. ["o]nn working season, work.]
  • 1. To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not). [1913 Webster]
  • The high repute Which he through hazard huge must earn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels. [1913 Webster]
  • I earn that [what] I eat. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • Earned run (Baseball), a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.
  • Syn: See Obtain. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'earned'

From: GCIDE
  • earned \earned\ ([~e]rnd), adj.
  • 1. Gained as a result of effort or action; -- used especially of income; as, earned income. Contrasted with unearned. [WordNet 1.5]
  • 2. (Baseball) not resulting from an error by an opposing team; -- used in the phrase earned runs. [PJC]