reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 
2
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
3
: the payment of damages : indemnification
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in plural
Examples of reparation in a Sentence
The country paid millions in reparations.
They've offered no apologies and seem to have no thoughts of reparation.
She says she's sorry and wants to make reparations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brazil has agreed to pay each child a onetime reparations payment of about $9,000 plus an additional $18,000 per year for the rest of their lives.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
Several have voted to explore establishing a reparations program — including Boston, which has a working Task Force on Reparations where a local group of Black Bostonians has called for $15 billion from the city.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025
In June 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from the survivors, arguing they should be compensated by the city for damages — dealing a blow to their ongoing fight for reparations more than 100 years after the attack.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
On one side the KC Reparations Coalition is preparing to launch a six-month public education campaign and raise $50,000 for a documentary that will confront misconceptions about reparations.
—J.m. Banks
november 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reparation
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Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 Nov. 2025
Several have voted to explore establishing a reparations program — including Boston, which has a working Task Force on Reparations where a local group of Black Bostonians has called for $15 billion from the city.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 26 Nov. 2025
In June 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit from the survivors, arguing they should be compensated by the city for damages — dealing a blow to their ongoing fight for reparations more than 100 years after the attack.
—Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
On one side the KC Reparations Coalition is preparing to launch a six-month public education campaign and raise $50,000 for a documentary that will confront misconceptions about reparations.
—J.m. Banks
november 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reparation
Cite this Entry
“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: a repairing or keeping in repair
a building in need of constant reparation
2
: the act of making up for a wrong
3
: money or materials paid or to be paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
2
: the payment of damages
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in pl.
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