Sentence:  The executive <WSD>paid</WSD> tribute to research and development and technology for their great contributions in the past , but he also cautioned industry that they tend to be great equalizers because they move at a fairly even pace within an industry and fail to give it the short-term advantage which it often needs . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow