satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce satisfaction (audio)
1
a
: the payment through penance of the temporal punishment incurred by a sin
b
: reparation for sin that meets the demands of divine justice
2
a
: fulfillment of a need or want
b
: the quality or state of being satisfied : contentment
c
: a source or means of enjoyment : gratification
3
a
: compensation for a loss or injury : atonement, restitution
b
: the discharge of a legal obligation or claim
4
: convinced assurance or certainty
proved to the satisfaction of the court

Examples of satisfaction in a Sentence

He gets great satisfaction from volunteering. the satisfaction of a job well done There is some satisfaction in knowing I was right. She finds a certain satisfaction in helping others. the satisfaction of his deep craving for love I complained to the manager about the poor service but did not get any satisfaction.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Research suggests that this love style is closely tied to high levels of marital satisfaction. Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 Another study published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reported high levels of satisfaction and low levels of regret among more than 220 young people who had accessed puberty blockers and hormone therapy as kids and teens. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024 While work continues on renovations at O'Hare airport, a recent survey ranked it near the bottom in customer satisfaction. Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 The findings add to a growing list of other health benefits researchers are studying related to the medications, which target hormones called incretins that affect not just appetite, digestion, and diabetes, but also heart health, sleep, and the brain circuits connected to satisfaction and reward. Alice Park, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for satisfaction 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin satisfaction-, satisfactio, from Latin, reparation, amends, from satisfacere to satisfy

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of satisfaction was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near satisfaction

Cite this Entry

“Satisfaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/satisfaction. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

satisfaction

noun
sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsat-əs-ˈfak-shən How to pronounce satisfaction (audio)
1
a
: the quality or state of being satisfied
b
: a cause of satisfaction
2
: something that makes up for a loss or injury
3

Legal Definition

satisfaction

noun
sat·​is·​fac·​tion
1
a
: the act or fact of satisfying
b
: execution of an accord by performance of the substituted obligation
often used in the phrase accord and satisfaction
compare accord sense 3, transaction sense 3
c
: a document indicating that an obligation has been satisfied
a satisfaction of mortgage
2
: the quality or state of being satisfied

More from Merriam-Webster on satisfaction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!