repatriation

[ ree-pey-tree-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of returning a person or thing to the country of origin: Museums are increasingly facing pressure from formerly colonized countries seeking repatriation of their priceless antiquities.

   If conditions allow, refugees can be offered the option of voluntary repatriation rather than resettlement in countries offering asylum.

   Museums are increasingly facing pressure from formerly colonized countries seeking repatriation of their priceless antiquities.

Other Words From

• non·re·pat·ri·a·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriation¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin repatriation-, stem of repatriatio “a returning to one's fatherland,” equivalent to repatriāt-, stem of repatriāre + Latin -iō -ion ( def ); repatriate ( def )

Example Sentences

My own family’s story intersects with the 1930s repatriation.

From Los Angeles Times

You probably didn’t know L.A.’s repatriation story.

From Los Angeles Times

She asked about “all the mumbo jumbo” — the transmission information — at the top of the document; I was more interested in the content: records from the 1930s that detailed a shameful chapter in Los Angeles history — repatriation campaigns that targeted Mexican and Mexican American families.

From Los Angeles Times

Although we think of these repatriation drives as federally driven, they were largely enacted by local officials, a stark reminder that local governments have tremendous power to harm — but also to resist.

From Los Angeles Times

Repatriation hit all levels of society, but the poorest were the most vulnerable.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• reconstruction
• recovery
• refurbishment
• rehabilitation
• reinstatement
• renewal
• renovation
• revival