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

• content
• contentedness
• contentment
• delectation
• delight
• enjoyment
• gladness
• gratification
• happiness
• pleasure
• relish

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

Since purchasing the team in August of 2022, the Walton-Penner ownership group has spent approximately $100 million upgrading Empower Field and improving fan satisfaction. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025

Plus, research suggests that people who regularly engage in hobbies have fewer symptoms of depression and better health, happiness, and life satisfaction than those who don’t. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 5 Feb. 2025

Instead of only showing the core territory of cities, the minimap has been updated to show the actual ownership of all territories, giving players an improved understanding of opponents encroaching on their turf — as well as the satisfaction of painting the map their color. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Liverpool’s inactivity in the January window is more a reflection of their satisfaction with the current depth of Arne Slot’s squad. —James McNicholas, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 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)

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