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

Related stories from Star-Telegram Shin-Soo Choo’s bloop single in 9th enough to push Rangers past Royals Matt Bush looking smooth again after rough patch as Rangers’ closer How does trade for international slot compensation help Rangers?

— stefan stevenson, star-telegram, "Rangers reaction: Back to .500 and in the thick of wild card fever," 15 July 2017
Pacha filed a complaint with French police and a civil claim seeking compensation from Airbus, saying the money went to Diallo, Couriol and others.

— franz wild, Bloomberg.com, "Airbus Stake in Mali Mine, After Zigzag, Draws Swiss Scrutiny," 13 July 2017
Defamation is recognised almost everywhere as grounds for a civil claim, in which subjects of wanton and damaging falsehoods can demand financial compensation.

— The Economist, "Don’t say a wordHow powerful people use criminal-defamation laws to silence their critics," 13 July 2017
Large HSAs would eliminate that penalty, allowing workers to receive the extra money as cash compensation, deposit all of it and more in a Large HSA, and use the resulting nest egg to purchase insurance tax-free, as employers do today.

— michael f. cannon, National Review, "Bringing Senate Conservatives and Moderates Together on Health-Care Reform," 10 July 2017
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

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

NEW! Time Traveler

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