compensation

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

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

compensational

play \ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shnəl, -shə-n^əl, -ˌpen-\ adjective

See compensation defined for English-language learners

See compensation defined for kids

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

Another sticking point is workers' compensation reform.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Morning Spin: What you need to know about deadline day in Springfield", 30 June 2017
Because of the vesting that occurred, the compensation expense dropped to $8.4 million, the company said.

— gretchen morgenson, New York Times, "How SeaWorld Disregards Its Shareholders", 30 June 2017
The institute’s worker’s compensation insurer, Zenith Insurance Company, filed the lawsuit against the city in May in San Diego Superior Court.

— morgan cook, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Golf balls careen from San Diego courses, causing damage, pain", 30 June 2017
And that can only come from emotional compensation.

— norman mailer, Daily Intelligencer, "Black and White Justice", 30 June 2017
The tribunal, consisting of an attorney and two judges who did not work for the archdiocese, determined Vanderburgh should receive compensation of $21,600.67.

— dan horn, Cincinnati.com, "Abused by a priest, now a champion of the church", 24 June 2017
Many members of these Boards, whose work has been for private rather than public good, have benefitted far beyond the compensation earned by this phenomenally hard-working woman.

— grace schneider, The Courier-Journal, "U of L Foundation fires former Ramsey aide Kathleen Smith", 22 June 2017
Low rates of compensation for some workers hurt on the job, and low caps for the attorneys who represent them.

— AL.com, "No 'bama billionaires, workplace injuries, Tyson chicken slaughter top today's business news", 21 June 2017
Ruth A. Batey, 46, of the Miller section of Gary, had been hired by Shane and Robin Bolde after Shane Bolde was injured in a car crash in March 2014 and was off work and placed on workman's compensation, the probable cause affidavit states.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Gary attorney charged with theft", 19 June 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

COMPENSATION Defined for English Language Learners

compensation

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noun

Definition of compensation for English Language Learners

: 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

COMPENSATION Defined for Kids

compensation

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noun com·pen·sa·tion \ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən\

Definition 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

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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

Law Dictionary

compensation

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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