Married friend started award (4)
I believe the answer is:
palm
'award' is the definition.
(I know that palm is a type of award)
'married friend started' is the wordplay.
'married' becomes 'm' (abbreviation, e.g. in genealogy).
'friend' becomes 'pal' (pal can mean a friend).
'started' says to put letters next to each other.
'm' after 'pal' is 'PALM'.
(Other definitions for palm that I've seen before include "Tropical tree; conceal" , "Tree symbolising victory" , "Evergreen tree and part of the hand" , "Use hand" , "may need greasing" .)