reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: a repairing or keeping in repair

b

reparations plural : repairs

2

a

: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury

b

: something done or given as amends or satisfaction

3

: the payment of damages : indemnification

specifically : compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation

—usually used in plural

Synonyms of reparation

• damages
• compensation
• restitution

Examples of reparation in a Sentence

The country paid millions in reparations.

They've offered no apologies and seem to have no thoughts of reparation.

She says she's sorry and wants to make reparations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Supporters of reparations argue the effects of slavery continue to be felt across Africa and the Caribbean generations later. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 June 2026

Positions on reparations are mixed in countries that would contribute. —ABC News, 19 June 2026

But for decades, federal and state governments have rejected even the notion of studying reparations. —Marcus Anthony Hunter, Time, 19 June 2026

Reports also suggest that Iran expects to receive, through some unspecified payment mechanism, potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in de-facto reparations for damage caused by the war. —Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reparacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin reparation-, reparatio, from Latin reparare

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for reparation

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

Kids Definition

reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: a repairing or keeping in repair

a building in need of constant reparation

2

: the act of making up for a wrong

3

: money or materials paid or to be paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war

—usually used in plural

Legal Definition

reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury

b

: something done or given as amends or satisfaction

2

: the payment of damages

specifically : compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation

—usually used in pl.