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-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

-ˌpen-

adjective

Synonyms

• damages
• indemnification
• indemnity
• quittance
• recompense
• recoupment
• redress
• remuneration
• reparation
• reprisal(s)
• requital
• restitution
• satisfaction

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

The most typical is comparing your starting compensation package with their current employees. —Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024

Officials promised to continue conversations on Section 14 with the former residents and descendants, but did not mention any form of direct compensation. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Be Informed — Know your airline’s delay/cancellation policy to determine what compensation you are entitled to if a flight is canceled or delayed. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

Most certainly ratepayers ultimately pay executive compensation just as ratepayers bear the burden of every other element of PG&E’s operating costs and expenses. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024

Supervisor Shawn Rolland circulated an email on April 5 looking for co-sponsors for an amendment recommending an 11.5% compensation increase, reflecting what Crowley and his administration had previously proposed. —Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024

That Friday filing also disclosed that Calhoun’s total compensation for 2023 came to $32.8 million, up 45% from his 2022 compensation. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

McNelly and others have criticized the limitations of Wisconsin's well compensation program, which offers funding to replace a contaminated well but requires that a person have livestock and a nitrate level of 40 mg/L — four times the safe drinking water standard — to be able to access the funds. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024

Ultimately, Batiste’s parent company, Church & Dwight Co., offered compensation to customers who purchased any Batiste product before May 2023. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see compensate

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing compensation

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

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