repatriation
noun
re·pa·tri·a·tion
(ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən 
-ˌpa-
plural repatriations
: the act or process of restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship : the act of repatriating or the state of being repatriated
… rising demands for the repatriation of skeletons and sacred objects, now widely scattered in the world's museums, and for museum exhibits less devoted to static, stereotypical displays of … the native American culture.—
Robert McCormick Adams
Robert McCormick AdamsWhile officials privately acknowledge there is scant legal basis for repatriation, their public statements suggest that they would use lawsuits, diplomatic pressure and shame to bring home looted objects—not unlike Italy, Greece and Egypt, which have sought, with some success, to recover antiquities in European and American museums.—Andrew Jacobs
Andrew JacobsThey say they have that right under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which requires that human remains and artifacts be returned to Indian tribes that can show a cultural link.—Timothy Egan
Timothy EganExamples of repatriation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two Honduran brothers, Elder Antonio Cruz-Hernandez and Yony Roberto Cruz-Hernandez, were also arrested and remain in ICE custody pending repatriation to Honduras, where they are wanted for homicide.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
The model is also vulnerable to voluntary repatriation.
—Gracia Liu-Farrer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The issue of repatriation is contentious and comes with significant legal hurdles.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
In 2019, the Eiteljorg Museum hosted a repatriation ceremony of more than 350 artifacts to China.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
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Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
The model is also vulnerable to voluntary repatriation.
—Gracia Liu-Farrer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The issue of repatriation is contentious and comes with significant legal hurdles.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
In 2019, the Eiteljorg Museum hosted a repatriation ceremony of more than 350 artifacts to China.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
Cite this Entry
“Repatriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repatriation. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
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