commutation

noun

com·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌkäm-yə-ˈtā-shən 

-yü-

1

: exchange, trade

2

: replacement

specifically : a substitution of one form of payment or charge for another

a commutation by money payment for the exacted service

3

: a change of a legal penalty or punishment to a lesser one

commutation of a death sentence

4

: an act or process of commuting

… a ridge of hills makes daily commutation to San Francisco arduous.

—The New York Times

5

: the action of commutating

Synonyms

• back-and-forth
• barter
• dicker
• exchange
• quid pro quo
• swap
• trade
• trade-off
• truck

Examples of commutation in a Sentence

He appealed for a commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

an international commutation of food for oil

Recent Examples on the Web

The pardon recipients include a woman who has since earned her doctorate, a business owner and community members involved in their churches, while one of the commutation recipients will no longer have to serve a life prison sentence. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

Parson’s commutation of Britt Reid puts him in a position to again earn income, requiring him to work at least 30 hours a week. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024

Parson has made no direct public comment about the commutation. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2024

The commutation announced Friday by Parson’s office means that Reid, the son of Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, will serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest, a spokesman for Parson said. —Phil Helsel, NBC News, 2 Mar. 2024

The commutation, supported by Gucci Mane, Lil Pump and Lil Yachty, noted Kodak’s philanthropic endeavors, including his penchant for handing out school supplies and food to Florida residents in need. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 9 Feb. 2024

Since his first term began in 2019, Newsom has issued 181 pardons, 141 commutations and 40 reprieves. —Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 30 Mar. 2024

Newsom has granted a total of 181 pardons, 141 commutations and 40 reprieves while in office. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

In 2021, Kelly granted clemency — an umbrella term that includes pardons and commutations — to eight people. —Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English commutacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin commutation-, commutatio, from commutare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing commutation

• commutation ticket

Kids Definition

commutation

noun

com·​mu·​ta·​tion ˌkäm-yə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: exchange entry 1 sense 2, replacement

2

: a reduction of a legal penalty

3

: an act of commuting

4

: the process of reversing the direction of an electric circuit