Main Entry:

ret·ri·bu·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌre-trə-ˈbyü-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English retribucioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin retribution-, retributio, from Latin retribuere to pay back, from re- + tribuere to pay — more at tribute

Date:

14th century

1: recompense, reward2: the dispensing or receiving of reward or punishment especially in the hereafter3: something given or exacted in recompense ; especially : punishment