compensation

noun

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

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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 on the Web

From 1960 to 2000, employee compensation averaged 56.4% of gross domestic income. — Paul Kiernan, WSJ, "Despite Tight Job Market, Labor Force’s Income Is Squeezed," 23 Feb. 2019 Among the 800,000 federal employees deprived of a paycheck during the government's partial shutdown, aviation workers have warned that their lack of compensation imperils the safety of anyone boarding a U.S. commercial flight. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Flight Attendants Union President: Government Shutdown Is 'Disaster' for Aviation Safety," 24 Jan. 2019 Better alignment of compensation with business performance • 5. — Lauren Weber, WSJ, "CEOs Say Recession Is Top Worry for 2019," 16 Jan. 2019 The $20 million would come out of any compensation Moonves is due to receive following the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the allegations against him. — Tyler Mccarthy, Fox News, "CBS chief Les Moonves steps down amid sexual misconduct allegations," 2 Oct. 2018 These estimates include salaries, bonuses, restricted stock grants, cashed-in company stock, and other forms of compensation for chief executives at those firms. — Alexia Fernández Campbell, Vox, "A new study shows that CEOs made about 312 times more money in 2017 than the average worker.," 16 Aug. 2018 The report also noted that the ratio of energy CEO compensation to the median is generally lower than in other industries, including high-tech. — Houston Chronicle, "Competition for top talent keeps pay scale high in oil industry," 13 July 2018 Somehow, 26 players make more money than Martinez in terms of total compensation. — Patrick Brennan, Cincinnati.com, "Why FC Cincinnati will target South, Central America for building MLS roster," 10 July 2018 Chelsea, who have yet to decide on a manager for next season having ditched their pursuit of Maurizio Sarri (refusing to pay up to £8m of compensation), appear to be leaning towards appointing Laurent Blanc. — SI.com, "The Mounting Uncertainty at Chelsea Has Seen the Club Relinquish Their Top 4 Birthright," 9 July 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near compensation

compensation insurance

Statistics for compensation

Last Updated

8 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for compensation

The first known use of compensation was in the 14th century

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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

US : payment given for doing a job

See the full definition for compensation in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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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