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

Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the worst states for teacher compensation in the United States, with a median annual salary of $39,306. — Zach Schermele, Teen Vogue, "2020 Contender Kamala Harris Has a Plan to Pay Teachers Higher Salaries Nationwide," 5 Apr. 2019 The statement, issued from the Icelandic Transport Authority, recommends that the passengers and ticket holders affected by the airline closure begin exploring flights with another airline and some ticket holders may be eligible for compensation. — Maddie Hiatt, House Beautiful, "WOW Air Just Completely Shut Down Without Warning," 28 Mar. 2019 Union president Sara Nelson says flight attendants are aviation’s first responders and, like other safety and security professionals, shouldn’t have to rely on tips for compensation. — Scott Mccartney, WSJ, "Now Flight Attendants Have to Hustle for Tips," 23 Jan. 2019 Turn the dial on the back for exposure compensation. — Alexander George, Popular Mechanics, "The New Leica M10-D Is Delightfully (and Infuriatingly) Old-School," 6 Nov. 2018 Carvalho suggests that 80 percent to 90 percent of the funds raised should be allocated for teacher compensation, with the rest spent for school security enhancements and those extra programs should the board vote to keep that language. — Colleen Wright, miamiherald, "Vague ballot language confuses Miami-Dade schools’ bid to raise taxes to pay teachers," 12 July 2018 All rights in this section are granted without the need for additional compensation of any sort by the Union-Tribune to you. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Union-Tribune Terms of Service," 25 June 2018 Yet the gains, especially for the many players who never become stars, could be seen as compensation enough. — Laurent Dubois, The Atlantic, "How Not to Scout for Soccer Talent," 14 June 2018 According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cast of Arrested Development Season Four are reportedly lobbying for additional compensation, considering the episodes were recut to a format far more appealing for TV syndication. — Tom Philip, GQ, "Now Even the Cast of Arrested Development Season 4 Is Mad About Season 4," 8 May 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

3 May 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