reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: a repairing or keeping in repair

b

reparations plural : repairs

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

Synonyms

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

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

Opponents argue that changing the rules on prison work is a form of reparation that isn’t affordable during a time when the state faces budget deficits. —Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024

Public conversations about the legacies of slavery and calls for reparations have continued to gain traction. —Ana Lucia Araujo / Made By History, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

Earlier this year, an Oklahoma judge dismissed a lawsuit from three survivors of the massacre who were seeking reparations. —Axios, 1 Oct. 2024

Leaders ended the week-long summit in Samoa, saying the time had come for a discussion on whether Britain should commit to reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. —Max Foster, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reparacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin reparation-, reparatio, from Latin reparare

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids 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.