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

Therefore, no additional legal obligations exist that may create a call for reparations or action not directly negotiated. —Jon McGowan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

The Piano Lesson Mati Diop’s probing doc about African cultural heritage and Benin artifacts being recovered to their continental place outclasses the Denzel Washington clan’s trashy version of August Wilson’s reparation ghost story. —Armond White, National Review, 8 Jan. 2025

Azerbaijani politicians have called on Russia to pay reparations to those affected by the crash. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

Sheffield said that may result in creation of a reparations office to guide implementation of policies adopted by the City Council. —Malachi Barrett, Detroit Free Press, 26 Nov. 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.