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
Synonyms
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
Caribbean Payback Caribbean nations are now determined to seek reparations from western European governments for centuries of slave trading and brutalizing colonial rule.
—
William F. Wechsler, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
As of May 1, 129 original residents had accepted payments, with another 80 descendants expected to receive reparations this year.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 7 June 2024
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is still working to figure out how the county should make reparations to Black Angelenos discriminated against over the decades by government actions.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Kendi and others argued that remedying the impact of hundreds of years of subjugation would require policies that recognize, rather than ignore, that legacy, such as affirmative action and reparations.
—Rachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reparation 
William F. Wechsler, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024
As of May 1, 129 original residents had accepted payments, with another 80 descendants expected to receive reparations this year.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 7 June 2024
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is still working to figure out how the county should make reparations to Black Angelenos discriminated against over the decades by government actions.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024
Kendi and others argued that remedying the impact of hundreds of years of subjugation would require policies that recognize, rather than ignore, that legacy, such as affirmative action and reparations.
—Rachel Poser January Lavoy Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reparation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reparation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reparation
Cite this Entry
“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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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