compensation

noun

com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən 

-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-sh(ə-)nəl 

-ˌpen-

adjective

Synonyms of compensation

• reparation
• damages

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

According to one of the people briefed on the meeting, Roland Garros delivered a concrete proposal on all three points, including a prize-money formula that links player compensation to the tournament’s financial success. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Their additional claims have driven the compensation sought up from 177 million pounds ($238 million) to 245 million pounds ($329 million). — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

But added together, the way executive compensation is structured can work steadily against the very person it's meant to reward. — Mike Mess, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

As a result, the allegation in Urdaneta’s statement has hung over Binaggia since 2021, possibly affecting his eligibility for financial compensation as HSI’s confidential informant. — Jay Weaver july 21, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compensacioun, borrowed from Latin compensātiōn-, compensātiō "weighing, balancing, balancing of items in an account," from compensāre "to balance, make good, compensate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing compensation

• seek compensation
• unemployment compensation
• workmen's compensation insurance

Rhymes for compensation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

compensation

noun

com·​pen·​sa·​tion ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən 

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- 

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 

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