compensable

adjective

com·​pen·​sa·​ble kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce compensable (audio)
: that is to be or can be compensated
a compensable job-related injury
compensability noun

Examples of compensable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plaintiffs also pointed to earlier cases in which courts held that mandatory screenings and time spent walking from time clocks to workstations were both compensable. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Dec. 2025 Secretary Kennedy’s team seeks to make autism compensable under vaccine-injury rules, turning diagnoses into groundless lawsuits while draining resources from real causes and care. Tom Frieden, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025 Property damage, losses of businesses' income, all those things are compensable damages. Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025 Any emotional toll on them should be compensable. Noel Murray, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 The actions of the Sheriff’s Office have caused psychological injury, loss of income and benefits, emotional distress, damage to Her’s reputation and compensable losses, the lawsuit states. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Here's how: • Recognize data generation as compensable labor. James Felton Keith, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Even if a worker takes more short breaks than allowed, the time is still compensable, though the employer may discipline the worker under company policy. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025 Instead of looking at pass/fail outcomes and adjusting outliers with pay gaps, make targeted changes based on compensable factors to address systemic inequities. Lyssa Hansard, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

compens(ate) + -able

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of compensable was in 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensable. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

Legal Definition

compensable

adjective
com·​pen·​sa·​ble kəm-ˈpen-sə-bəl How to pronounce compensable (audio)
: entitling an individual to compensation
a compensable job-related injury
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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