restitution

noun

res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌre-stə-ˈtü-shən How to pronounce restitution (audio)
-ˈtyü-
1
: an act of restoring or a condition of being restored: such as
a
: a restoration of something to its rightful owner
b
: a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury
2
: a legal action serving to cause restoration of a previous state

Examples of restitution in a Sentence

the restitution of her stolen property He was ordered to make restitution to the victim.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
He was sentenced in February 2024 to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $475,000 in restitution, according to the Department of Justice. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025 The chamber is seeking more than $1 million in restitution when Ament is sentenced next month. Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 31 July 2025 An evidentiary hearing was ordered by the judge to determine restitution and compensatory damages. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025 Houston wants some restitution for what was once that home, once that neighborhood, once his center of belonging. Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for restitution

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restitucioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin restitution-, restitutio, from restituere to restore, from re- + statuere to set up — more at statute

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restitution was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Restitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restitution. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

restitution

noun
res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈt(y)ü-shən How to pronounce restitution (audio)
: the giving of something back to its rightful owner or the giving of something of equal value (as for loss or damage)

Legal Definition

restitution

noun
res·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü- How to pronounce restitution (audio)
1
a
: a restoration of something to its rightful owner
b
: a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury
2
a
: the equitable remedy of restoring to an aggrieved party that which was obtained in unjust enrichment
b
: a remedy for breach of contract that consists of restoring the aggrieved party to the status quo that existed before the contract was made
3
: an amount to be paid for the purpose of restitution
ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his crime
compare fine
restitutional
ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shə-nəl, -ˈtyü-
adjective
restitutionary
ˌres-tə-ˈtü-shə-ˌner-ē, -ˈtyü-
adjective
restitutive
ˈres-tə-ˌtü-tiv, -ˌtyü-
adjective
restitutory
ˌres-tə-ˈtü-tə-rē, -ˈtyü-; rə-ˈsti-tyə-ˌtōr-ē
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on restitution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!