reparation

noun

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rep·a·ra·tion | \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of reparation

1a : a repairing or keeping in repair

b reparations plural : repairs

2a : 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

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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 But they were met almost at every turn with protests, with people bringing up select reparation payments, and with people writing open letters to them basically demanding an apology and an acknowledgement of past sins. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 And their goal is to come up with a proposal for some kind of reparation plan to provide compensation to Black state residents. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 June 2022 The cogs of government have been whirring for the last year, trying to deliver some measure of reparation to the survivors and relatives of those killed, but there hasn't been much in the way of accountability. — Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 24 June 2022 Had this been the first time the patient had missed an appointment, it could have been used as a moment of some reparation by not charging the patient. — BostonGlobe.com, 20 May 2022 France’s role, Burkhard further acknowledged, was in part spurred by Aristide’s demand for debt reparation. — Amy Wilentz, The New Republic, 25 May 2022 For the defendant, the process is extensive, Freeborn said, averaging roughly six months of rehabilitative and reparation-focused work in addition to the intake period. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2022 This comes after a decadeslong push to establish a 13-person reparation commission in Congress. — Bybeatrice Peterson, ABC News, 14 May 2022 The money is part of Evanston’s Local Reparations Restorative Housing Program, further marking the start of reparation allocations from the city. — Alexandra Hulvalchick, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reparation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near reparation

reparable

reparation

reparative

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Last Updated

25 Sep 2022

Cite this Entry

“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 30 Sep. 2022.

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More Definitions for reparation

reparation

noun

rep·a·ra·tion | \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən

Kids Definition of reparation

1 : the act of making up for a wrong

2 : something paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war

reparation

noun

rep·a·ra·tion | \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən

Legal Definition of reparation

1a : 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.