repatriate

verb

re·​pa·​tri·​ate (ˌ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ˌāt 

-ˈpa-

repatriated; repatriating

transitive verb

: to restore or return to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship

repatriate prisoners of war

repatriate

(ˌ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ət 

-trē-ˌāt, 

-ˈpa-

noun

Examples of repatriate in a Sentence

Countries are required to repatriate prisoners of war when conflict has ended.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fintan Opara, another Nigerian national repatriated after being in South Africa for 18 years, said most Nigerians not longer feel welcome in the country. — Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

South Africa’s Border Management Authority says more than 13,000 foreign nationals – including about 9,000 Malawians, 3,000 Zimbabweans, 900 Ghanaians, and 300 Nigerians – have either been voluntarily repatriated or deported in the last fortnight. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

Businesses have pledged to help the police maintain stability with drones and helicopters, while other African governments have sent planes and buses to repatriate their citizens. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 28 June 2026

As of April, Sacramento State had repatriated 89% of ancestral remains and 78% of cultural items. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin repatriatus, past participle of repatriare to go home again — more at repair entry 3

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for repatriate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

repatriate

1 of 2 verb

re·​pa·​tri·​ate

(ˈ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ˌāt, 

-ˈpa-

repatriated; repatriating

: to return to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship

repatriate prisoners of war

repatriation

(ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən, 

-ˌpa-

noun

repatriate

2 of 2 noun

re·​pa·​tri·​ate

(ˈ)rē-ˈpā-trē-ət, 

-tre-ˌāt

: one that is repatriated