compensation

noun

com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce compensation (audio)
-ˌpen-
1
a
: 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
2
a(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
compensational
ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shnəl How to pronounce compensation (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
-ˌpen-
adjective

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 True stars can attract even more cash: AI engineers with a PhD and several years of experience building AI models can command compensation as high as $20 million over four years, said Ali Ghodsi, who as CEO of AI start-up DataBricks is regularly competing to hire AI talent. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Passengers on the flight were also given $1,500 in compensation. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Merck’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues Biden’s plan violates part of the Fifth Amendment — which requires the government to pay just compensation for private property taken for public use. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Interviewing Wanda Sykes on his show before her own Oscars co-hosting gig, with Amy Schumer Regina Hall, in 2022, Kimmel boldly broadcast his compensation for the job. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024 This does not prohibit the site from receiving any compensation from affiliate links for any recommendations made. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Like many tech companies, TikTok awards restricted stock units to its employees that vest over time as part of their compensation. Alexandra Sternlicht, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Three of them have filed for monetary compensation for their injuries. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 But in another case still in litigation involving facilities at the port of Havana, several cruise companies were ordered to pay over $400 million in compensation. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compensation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see compensate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near compensation

Cite this Entry

“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compensation

noun
com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce compensation (audio)
1
: the act of compensating : the state of being compensated
2
a
: something that compensates
especially : payment to an unemployed or injured worker
b
: payment in the form of salary or wages

Medical Definition

compensation

noun
com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen- How to pronounce compensation (audio)
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

Legal Definition

compensation

noun
com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən How to pronounce compensation (audio)
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 servicesU.S. Constitution art. I

More from Merriam-Webster on compensation

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