restitution

noun

res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌre-stə-ˈtü-shən 

-ˈtyü-

1

: an act of restoring or a condition of being restored: such as

a

: a restoration of something to its rightful owner

b

: a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury

2

: a legal action serving to cause restoration of a previous state

Synonyms

• compensation
• damages
• indemnification
• indemnity
• quittance
• recompense
• recoupment
• redress
• remuneration
• reparation
• reprisal(s)
• requital
• satisfaction

Examples of restitution in a Sentence

the restitution of her stolen property

He was ordered to make restitution to the victim.

Recent Examples on the Web

Therefore, coming into this most recent negotiation, one side was adamant about their need for wage restitution and the other side was reeling from existential challenges that began in 2018 with the twin crashes of the 737MAX that killed all on board. —Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

And most glaringly, will Francis ever pay the remaining $50 million he’s expected to owe the government in forfeiture and restitution? —Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Thorpe was sentenced to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution to the city. —Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2024

The Brulé Lakota chief, Conquering Bear, hurried to nearby Fort Laramie and offered the Mormon a horse from his own herd as restitution. —Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restitucioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin restitution-, restitutio, from restituere to restore, from re- + statuere to set up — more at statute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

restitution

noun

res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈt(y)ü-shən 

: the giving of something back to its rightful owner or the giving of something of equal value (as for loss or damage)

Legal Definition

restitution

noun

res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü- 

1

a

: a restoration of something to its rightful owner

b

: a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury

2

a

: the equitable remedy of restoring to an aggrieved party that which was obtained in unjust enrichment

b

: a remedy for breach of contract that consists of restoring the aggrieved party to the status quo that existed before the contract was made

3

: an amount to be paid for the purpose of restitution

ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his crime

compare fine

restitutional

ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü-

adjective

restitutionary

ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shə-ˌner-ē, -ˈtyü-

adjective

restitutive

ˈres-tə-ˌtü-tiv, -ˌtyü-

adjective

restitutory

ˌres-tə-ˈtü-tə-rē, -ˈtyü-; rə-ˈsti-tyə-ˌtōr-ē

adjective