reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce reparation (audio)
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

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 Here are five key moments from the interview in Detroit: Harris says slavery reparations must be studied Harris told Charlamagne that reparations for descendants of enslaved people should be studied, but stopped short of endorsing a reparations plan. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024 The opposition says that the state needs to focus on the budget deficit for now, not reparations efforts, and that the current system helps promote order and rehabilitation. Shawna Chen, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 In 1824, Haiti agreed to pay 150 million francs to France in reparations for their loss of human property—an exorbitant debt that took 122 years to pay off. Aisha M. Beliso-De Jesús / Made By History, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 Newsom vetoes a bill to study reparations for families displaced at Chavez Ravine. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reparation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reparation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of reparation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near reparation

Cite this Entry

“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

reparation

noun
rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce reparation (audio)
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 How to pronounce reparation (audio)
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on reparation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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