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

Caring for the dead and the living President Ronald Reagan in 1988 signed a law that issued a formal apology and authorized reparations to Japanese American incarceration survivors. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Newman’s work has been welcomed by reformers and those who have been arguing, for years, in favor of British reparations to societies that have borne the legacy of its slaving activities. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026

Conversations around reparations in the United States are not new, nor are conversations about the legitimacy of Puerto Rico being its own country, separate of American influence and control. —Taylor Crumpton, Time, 10 Feb. 2026

None of the victims or their descendants received any direct reparations from the city or state. —Caleb Gayle, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 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.