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

Research suggests that this love style is closely tied to high levels of marital satisfaction. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

Another study published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics reported high levels of satisfaction and low levels of regret among more than 220 young people who had accessed puberty blockers and hormone therapy as kids and teens. —Brenda Goodman, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

While work continues on renovations at O'Hare airport, a recent survey ranked it near the bottom in customer satisfaction. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024

The findings add to a growing list of other health benefits researchers are studying related to the medications, which target hormones called incretins that affect not just appetite, digestion, and diabetes, but also heart health, sleep, and the brain circuits connected to satisfaction and reward. —Alice Park, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024

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