compensation

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 Under bankruptcy protection, the Boy Scouts could ask a judge to approve a compensation plan. — Mike Baker, New York Times, "Boy Scouts Seek Bankruptcy to Survive a Deluge of Sex-Abuse Claims," 18 Feb. 2020 The organization proudly boasts that nearly 70,000 editorial board members and reviewers provide service to the publications without compensation. — Robert M. Kaplan, STAT, "Open science, publishing, and public research support: Could Trump have it right?," 6 Feb. 2020 Previously, officials were asking creditors to sign off on the three-month delay without any additional compensation. — Scott Squires, Bloomberg.com, "Buenos Aires Sweetens Deal for Bondholders Ahead of Deadline," 27 Jan. 2020 The automaker’s market cap has hit $100 billion and that sets into motion an option compensation plan for Musk that ultimately could be worth $55 billion or more. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "As Tesla’s market cap hits $100 billion, Elon Musk could be headed for a big pay day," 22 Jan. 2020 The Walt Disney Company disclosed Friday that chairman and CEO Bob Iger's compensation package was $47.5 million for the company's latest fiscal year, which ended in September. — Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, "Disney CEO Bob Iger's Annual Pay Falls to $47.5 Million," 17 Jan. 2020 Another impact of House Bill 3 was a $11.3 million compensation package, including pay raises, for all of the district’s employees at the beginning of the 2019/2020 school year. — Carissa D. Lamkahouan, Houston Chronicle, "Big tax rate drop, flurry of projects mark year for Clear Creek ISD," 17 Dec. 2019 The other thing that came fast was a detailed compensation plan. — Nina Kokotas Hahn, Condé Nast Traveler, "What Happens When Your Cruise Has to Rescue Another Ship," 14 Nov. 2019 To help players reach the upper levels of compensation, the WNBA announced the formation of WNBA Changemakers. — Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star, "WNBA deal with players: increased cash compensation may mean they don't have to play abroad," 14 Jan. 2020

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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Last Updated

22 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 24 Feb. 2020.

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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

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