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

Five passengers who were repatriated to health facilities in Nebraska for quarantine after potential exposure to hantavirus on the cruise ship MV Hondius returned to their homes late Monday, June 1, according to CNN and The Associated Press. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 2 June 2026

Ghana, meanwhile, repatriated hundreds of its nationals from South Africa after Nigeria took similar steps; other countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe have in recent weeks warned their citizens to exercise caution and avoid going outside as a result of the violence. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 2 June 2026

In the past, the US has treated 11 Ebola patients in the country, most of whom were repatriated from outbreaks, according to Stat News. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2026

Australian governments have repatriated Australian women and children from Syrian detention camps on two occasions. —ABC News, 25 May 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