Definition of compensation
1a : the act of compensating : the state of being compensatedb : correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organc : 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 employerb : payment, remuneration working without compensation
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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 of compensation from the Web
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Later, Rauner backed a minimum wage increase, but only if tied to business-friendly legislation, including an overhaul of the state's workers' compensation rules.
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Fishermen in the communities if San Felipe and Golfo de Santa Clara are hoping that the compensation payments can be extended through the end of the year, said Ramón Franco Díaz, who heads a federation of fishing cooperatives.
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If the player signs for less than $50 million, the compensation pick comes after the second round.
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Watts is seeking compensation for financial damages and emotional distress.
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Senate Democrats approved workers compensation changes and, on Monday, a two-year property-tax freeze, which Republicans said was not long enough.
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Tizon’s parents probably justified their cruel bait-and-switch by telling themselves that providing Pulido with room and board in a foreign country was compensation enough, especially given their own financial situation.
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Executive Pay At ConocoPhillips, the world’s largest independent crude explorer, a majority of shareholders rejected CEO Ryan Lance’s pay package, even after his total 2016 compensation was cut almost 10 percent to $19.2 million.
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The year before, his compensation totaled $16.4 million.
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.
Origin and Etymology of compensation
see compensate
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Psychology Terms
COMPENSATION Defined for English Language Learners
compensation
playDefinition of compensation for English Language Learners
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: something that is done or given to make up for damage, trouble, etc.
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: something good that acts as a balance against something bad or undesirable
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: payment given for doing a job
COMPENSATION Defined for Kids
compensation
playDefinition of compensation for Students
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.
Medical Dictionary
compensation
playMedical 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
Law Dictionary
compensation
playLegal 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
Learn More about compensation
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See words that rhyme with compensation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compensation Spanish Central: Translation of compensation Nglish: Translation of compensation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compensation for Arabic speakers
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