satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsa-təs-ˈfak-shən 

1

a

: the payment through penance of the temporal punishment incurred by a sin

b

: reparation for sin that meets the demands of divine justice

2

a

: fulfillment of a need or want

b

: the quality or state of being satisfied : contentment

c

: a source or means of enjoyment : gratification

3

a

: compensation for a loss or injury : atonement, restitution

b

: the discharge of a legal obligation or claim

c

: vindication

4

: convinced assurance or certainty

proved to the satisfaction of the court

Synonyms of satisfaction

• contentment
• enjoyment
• pleasure
• happiness
• content
• delight
• joy

Examples of satisfaction in a Sentence

He gets great satisfaction from volunteering.

the satisfaction of a job well done

There is some satisfaction in knowing I was right.

She finds a certain satisfaction in helping others.

the satisfaction of his deep craving for love

I complained to the manager about the poor service but did not get any satisfaction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Personal services, child care and education ranked at the top for satisfaction. —Robert Frank, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025

But Gallagher couldn’t bear robbing the audience — and Marissa — of the satisfaction of his downfall. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 Nov. 2025

The new lineup brings together bakery-style breads with hearty proteins, meeting needs for both convenience and satisfaction. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Originally intended to reduce churn and increase graduation rates, student success expanded into something much broader—a blend of traditional academic achievement, personal satisfaction, and even wellness. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin satisfaction-, satisfactio, from Latin, reparation, amends, from satisfacere to satisfy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing satisfaction

• self-satisfaction
• to someone's satisfaction
• to the satisfaction of (someone)

Rhymes for satisfaction

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• liquefaction
• putrefaction
• rarefaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction

Kids Definition

satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion ˌsat-əs-ˈfak-shən 

1

a

: the quality or state of being satisfied

b

: a cause of satisfaction

2

: something that makes up for a loss or injury

3

: assurance sense 2

Legal Definition

satisfaction

noun

sat·​is·​fac·​tion

1

a

: the act or fact of satisfying

b

: execution of an accord by performance of the substituted obligation

—often used in the phrase accord and satisfaction compare accord sense 3, transaction sense 3

c

: a document indicating that an obligation has been satisfied

a satisfaction of mortgage

2

: the quality or state of being satisfied