compensation

noun

Save Word

com·pen·sa·tion | \ ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən

, -ˌpen- \

Definition of compensation

1a : the act of compensating : the state of being compensated

b : correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ

c : a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another

2a(1) : something that constitutes an equivalent or recompense Age has its compensations. Moving to the coast had some drawbacks, but there were also compensations.

(2) : payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents receiving compensation from his employer

b : payment, remuneration working without compensation

Other Words from compensation Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing compensation Learn More About compensation

Examples of compensation in a Sentence

The court awarded the victims millions of dollars in compensation. She offered to pay for lunch as compensation for keeping me waiting. Moving to the coast had some drawbacks, but there were also compensations.

Recent Examples on the Web Miners who worked before 1971, when the government was the sole purchaser of uranium, are eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. — Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 Aug. 2022 Keep in mind, most airlines require you to be checked in or at the gate by a certain time to be eligible for compensation beyond the cost of the flight. — Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 The Salahiyas rejected offers from the municipality for compensation as well as an offer to stay on as renters. — Dov Lieber, WSJ, 29 July 2022 As Ondieki’s follower count increased rapidly, brands began to reach out to him for promotional content for compensation. — Destiny S. Cook, ajc, 28 July 2022 For farmers like Gurung, filing out the paperwork necessary to qualify for compensation from the government requires walking five days from Koma and crossing two 18,000-foot passes—a trip that is impossible for many months of the year. — Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 27 July 2022 While few details of the talks throughout the region have been made public, some agricultural users are suggesting fallowing fields, in return for financial compensation. — New York Times, 21 July 2022 The plaintiffs sought ¥8 trillion to decommission the plant completely, another ¥6 trillion to decontaminate the site and build interim nuclear waste storage, and ¥8 trillion for victim compensation. — Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 14 July 2022 In addition to another flight, travelers can be eligible for serious compensation under European regulation 261, requiring airlines to compensate people up to €600 per person for major delays. — Amanda Maile, ABC News, 13 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compensation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About compensation

Dictionary Entries Near compensation

compensating winding

compensation

compensation balance

Statistics for compensation

Last Updated

13 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 15 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for compensation

compensation

noun

com·pen·sa·tion | \ ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən

Kids Definition of compensation

1 : something that makes up for or is given to make up for something else

2 : money paid regularly When the business was struggling, she worked without compensation.

compensation

noun

com·pen·sa·tion | \ ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen-

Medical Definition of compensation

1 : correction of an organic defect by excessive development or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ cardiac compensation — see decompensation

2 : a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another

compensation

noun

com·pen·sa·tion | \ ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən

Legal Definition of compensation

1 : the act of compensating

2 in the civil law of Louisiana : the ending of mutual obligations between two people for money or quantities of fungible things usually by operation of law but sometimes by an agreement

3 : something that makes up for a loss received compensation for the breach of contract specifically : payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents — see also unemployment compensation, workers' compensation

4 : payment for a thing of value tendered or a service rendered the Senators and Representatives shall receive compensation for their services — U.S. Constitution art. I