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
While 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 EganThis left him an illegal immigrant in Hong Kong, subject to arrest and repatriation at any time.—Nicholas D. Kristof
Nicholas D. KristofExamples of repatriation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their repatriation comes amid accusations and bickering over whether either side had targeted civilians and breached the laws of war, and sharp nationalist feuding on social media.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
Although there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Qian, he was put under house arrest for five years until his deportation to China in exchange for the repatriation of American pilots captured in the Korean War, in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration.
—Time, 29 July 2025
As a free port with no capital controls, Hong Kong imposes no restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, inward or outward investments, or the repatriation of funds.
—Familyofficehk Contributor, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Trump and his Secretaries of Homeland Security and State, Kristi Noem and Marco Rubio, have worked to turn some of those countries around, with India one example where repatriation flights resumed following concerns.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
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Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
Although there was no evidence of wrongdoing by Qian, he was put under house arrest for five years until his deportation to China in exchange for the repatriation of American pilots captured in the Korean War, in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration.
—Time, 29 July 2025
As a free port with no capital controls, Hong Kong imposes no restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, inward or outward investments, or the repatriation of funds.
—Familyofficehk Contributor, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Trump and his Secretaries of Homeland Security and State, Kristi Noem and Marco Rubio, have worked to turn some of those countries around, with India one example where repatriation flights resumed following concerns.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 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 21 Aug. 2025.
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