reparation

noun

rep·​a·​ra·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: a repairing or keeping in repair

b

reparations plural : repairs

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

Synonyms

• compensation
• damages
• indemnification
• indemnity
• quittance
• recompense
• recoupment
• redress
• remuneration
• reprisal(s)
• requital
• restitution
• satisfaction

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

Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which Parliament established nearly two decades ago, in 2010 called for the establishment of a court to try those responsible, and for reparations to be paid to the victims. —Ruth MacLean, New York Times, 3 May 2024

The book’s final chapters cover the movement for reparations. —Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reparacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin reparation-, reparatio, from Latin reparare

First Known Use

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

Kids 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.