reparation

[ rep-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. 1. the making of amends for wrong or injury done:

      In reparation for the injustice, the king made him head of the agricultural department.

   2. something done or given to make amends:

      The prosecutor has requested a reparation of $32 million to victims of the crime.

   Synonyms: compensation, satisfaction, atonement, indemnification

2. Usually reparations.
   1. compensation in money, material, labor, etc., payable by a defeated country to another country or to an individual for loss suffered during or as a result of war:

      The U.S. government eventually disbursed reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned during World War II.

   2. monetary or other compensation payable by a country to an individual for a historical wrong:

      The article is about reparations to Black people for the enslavement of their ancestors.

3. restoration to good condition.

   Synonyms: repair, renovate, renewal

   Antonyms: destruction

4. repair ¹( def 7 ).

reparation

/ rɪˈpærətɪv; ˌrɛpəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of making amends

   an injury admitting of no reparation

2. usually plural compensation exacted as an indemnity from a defeated nation by the victors: esp the compensation demanded of Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I
3. the act or process of repairing or state of having been repaired

reparation

1. Compensation demanded by a victorious nation from a defeated nation. Reparations can be in the form of goods or money.

Notes

After World War I , heavy reparation debts were imposed on Germany by Britain , France , and the other victorious nations. Resentment over these reparations aided the rise of Adolf Hitler .

Derived Forms

• reparative, adjective

Other Words From

• non·rep·a·ra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reparation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reparacion, from Middle French, from Late Latin reparātiōn- (stem of reparātiō ), equivalent to Latin reparāt(us) (past participle of reparāre “to repair” ( repair ¹, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- noun suffix ( -ion )

Word History and Origins

Origin of reparation¹

C14 reparacioun , ultimately from Latin reparāre to repair ¹

Synonym Study

See redress.

Example Sentences

Hassan has 30 days to appeal against the judgement and reparations to the victims will be addressed in due course.

From BBC

The Legislature placed Proposition 6 on the ballot this summer amid intense negotiations led by the Legislative Black Caucus over a package of bills meant to address reparations.

From Los Angeles Times

The city of Palm Springs could vote to start on the path to reparations for the Section 14 burnouts.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think there needs to be some reparations and restitution involved as well,” he said.

From BBC

It took decades to get this fund established because developed nations were wary of framing the payments as reparations and accepting liability for climate change on these terms.

From BBC

Related Words

• apology
• atonement
• indemnity
• payment
• redress
• remuneration
• renewal
• repayment
• restitution