compensation
noun
-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
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Other Words from compensation
-shə-nᵊl,
-ˌpen-
\
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for compensation
Synonyms
disbursement, giving, paying, payment, remitment, remittance, remuneration
Antonyms
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Examples of compensation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are currently more than 60 pending lawsuits seeking compensation. — Elissa Strauss, Glamour, "The Great Frozen Embryo Debate," 11 Oct. 2018 Instead, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is looking into changing the country’s constitution to allow land seizures without compensation. — Jennie Neufeld, Vox, "Vox Sentences: South Africa to withdraw, North Carolina to redraw," 29 Aug. 2018 The worst-case scenario for the Charlotte Hornets would be losing Kemba Walker for no compensation next summer. — Rick Bonnell, charlotteobserver, "Why All-Star Kemba Walker’s New York ties should worry Charlotte Hornets," 13 July 2018 Just prior to Friday’s sentencing, American Superconductor reached a deal with Sinovel for compensation, and has already received $32.5 million. — Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, "AMSC gets $57 million from Chinese theft case," 6 July 2018 State attorneys argued that previous decisions did not expressly award back wages and that the judges' lawyers did not correctly file a claim for retroactive compensation. — Adam Ashton, sacbee, "$40 million payout for California judges nears as state loses lawsuit," 28 June 2018 Kaseke worries that the bureaucratic process for compensation outlined in the bill is too cumbersome. — Christopher Bendana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Uganda's pride: Lions test locals' patience," 27 June 2018 Privacy - Terms In Fort Worth and much of North Texas, where unemployment has dropped to 3.4 percent, employers would be well-advised to add sick leave to their compensation packages or face difficulty in attracting talent. — The Star-telegram Editorial Board, star-telegram, "Cities shouldn't require businesses to offer paid sick leave," 25 June 2018 Sony's former CEO Kaz Hirai landed a $10.66 million retirement payment last year, to add to his $2.2 million base salary and $5.84 million in performance bonuses, for a total compensation package of $18.7 million. — Gavin J. Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, "Former Sony CEO Kaz Hirai's Annual Pay Rose to $18.7M Thanks to $10.7M Retirement Bonus," 19 June 2018These 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.
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More Definitions for compensation
compensation
noun
English Language Learners Definition of compensation
: something that is done or given to make up for damage, trouble, etc.
: something good that acts as a balance against something bad or undesirable
: payment given for doing a job
See the full definition for compensation in the English Language Learners Dictionary
compensation
noun
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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
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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
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compensation
noun
\
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
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