reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 
2
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
3
: the payment of damages : indemnification
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in plural
Examples of reparation in a Sentence
The country paid millions in reparations.
They've offered no apologies and seem to have no thoughts of reparation.
She says she's sorry and wants to make reparations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Since then, Ukraine has tried to gain international support for its own 10-point Peace Formula, which demands a full withdrawal of Russian forces, the prosecution of war crimes and the payment of reparations.
—
Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the same debates accompanying discussions of slavery reparations in greater society permeate the order as well: Some feel a moral urgency while others criticize the effort as unfairly burdening the entities of today or suggesting the order’s ongoing work with the poor should suffice.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
When the Florida Legislature approved financial compensation for Rosewood’s survivors and descendants in 1994, it was seen as a national model for reparations.
—Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Many of the developing countries are looking to this opinion for retroactive reparations for climate change.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reparation
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Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Meanwhile, the same debates accompanying discussions of slavery reparations in greater society permeate the order as well: Some feel a moral urgency while others criticize the effort as unfairly burdening the entities of today or suggesting the order’s ongoing work with the poor should suffice.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
When the Florida Legislature approved financial compensation for Rosewood’s survivors and descendants in 1994, it was seen as a national model for reparations.
—Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Many of the developing countries are looking to this opinion for retroactive reparations for climate change.
—Jon McGowan, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reparation
Cite this Entry
“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: a repairing or keeping in repair
a building in need of constant reparation
2
: the act of making up for a wrong
3
: money or materials paid or to be paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
2
: the payment of damages
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in pl.
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