reparation

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noun rep·a·ra·tion \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of reparation

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

See reparation defined for English-language learners

See reparation defined for kids

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 of reparation from the Web

This helps to explain why there are, in fact, no calls to raze the Washington Monument or the Jefferson Memorial even from those who believe that the United States should pay reparations for slavery.

— chicagotribune.com, "The difference between George Washington and Robert E. Lee," 18 Aug. 2017
However, Amazon's version imagines what life would be like for black Americans if they had been paid reparations after the Civil War, Variety reports.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Amazon's 'Black America' Is An Alt-History Series About Slavery Reparations," 2 Aug. 2017
Unsurprisingly, more has been spent by the school on legal fees than on reparations to the victims.

— bob ford, Philly.com, "A turning point at Penn State as aftershocks of Sandusky scandal fade | Bob Ford," 7 July 2017
Black people have been shamed for financial poverty in a nation that is morally bankrupt; still, reparations for theft of our land, our labor and our lives is considered too much to ask for.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Philando Castile, the War on Drugs and the Lynching of Black Humanity," 7 July 2017
As reparation for relinquishing the Stow ’n Go second row in hybrid models (the battery pack takes up all of the underfloor seat storage space), Chrysler engineers added extra cushioning to the standard captain’s chairs.

— drew dorian, Car and Driver, "2017 Chrysler Pacifica," 30 June 2017
But as yet, the crisis has not sparked a lasting conversation on the emergency manager law’s validity, much less Snyder’s responsibility or reparations for its effects.

— The Root, "Flint, Mich., Water Crisis: How Much Is Gov. Snyder Responsible?," 27 June 2017
In addition, Qatar must pay an unspecified sum in reparations.

— adam schreck and josh lederman, The Christian Science Monitor, "Turkey to keep Qatar military base despite Arab nations' demands," 23 June 2017
Lehson is campaign chair of The Network (GMJF under age 45 division) and is active in the legal movement to secure reparations for Holocaust survivors.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Gay woman receives Federation leadership award," 22 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of reparation

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

reparation Synonyms

Synonyms

damages, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, recompense, recoupment, redress, remuneration, compensation, reprisal (s), requital, restitution, satisfaction

Related Words

punitive damage, solatium; amends, atonement, expiation; refund, reimbursement, repayment; adjustment, settlement; punishment, retaliation

REPARATION Defined for English Language Learners

reparation

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noun

Definition of reparation for English Language Learners

reparations : money that a country or group that loses a war pays because of the damage, injury, deaths, etc., it has caused
: something that is done or given as a way of correcting a mistake that you have made or a bad situation that you have caused

REPARATION Defined for Kids

reparation

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noun rep·a·ra·tion \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of reparation for Students

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

Law Dictionary

reparation

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noun rep·a·ra·tion \ ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən \

legal Definition of reparation

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.