restitution

noun res·ti·tu·tion \ ˌre-stə-ˈtü-shən , -ˈtyü- \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of restitution

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

See restitution defined for English-language learners

See restitution defined for kids

Examples of restitution in a Sentence

the restitution of her stolen property
He was ordered to make restitution to the victim.

Recent Examples of restitution from the Web

In Indiana, a person who creates a pyramid scheme can be charged with fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, conspiracy and other crimes and, if convicted, can face prison time, fines and restitution.

— dwight adams, Indianapolis Star, "Parents beware: The book exchange where you send 1 to get 36 probably won’t work," 17 Apr. 2018
The judge also ordered Hackworth to pay a $5,000 civil penalty along with $1,889 in restitution.

— christina lords, idahostatesman, "'Nothing I do' can bring back baby who died in hot car, judge says | Idaho Statesman," 16 Apr. 2018
The plea agreement included $8 million in criminal fines, $1 million in restitution and a $1 million community service project for Terminix International Company and its US Virgin Islands operation, the US Justice Department said.

— kelly mccleary, CNN, "Terminix employee indicted in family's pesticide poisoning," 14 Apr. 2018
Earlier this year, Terminix was sentenced to pay $9.2 million in criminal fines and restitution.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Man indicted for using banned pesticide that sickened Delaware family," 13 Apr. 2018
The lawmaker is facing a prison sentence that could range from eight to 12 years — in addition to likely owing millions of dollars in restitution to victims, some attorneys have said.

— patrick danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Convicted state Sen. Uresti surrenders law license," 13 Apr. 2018
Businesses were ordered to pay $97.6 million in judicial forfeiture, fines and restitution and $7.8 million in civil fines, the agency said.

— maria sacchetti, Washington Post, "ICE raids meatpacking plant in rural Tennessee; 97 immigrants arrested," 6 Apr. 2018
If convicted, each defendant in this case faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, plus fines and restitution.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Bribery charges rock Alabama's political landscape: What we know today," 3 Apr. 2018
Each trafficking charge carries a sentence of 15 years to life, mandatory restitution and a $250,000 fine.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "A year ago, an Army dad was greeted as a war hero. Now he's accused of being a pimp. | Charlotte Observer," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restitution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of restitution

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year