repatriate

[ verb ree-pey-tree-eyt; noun ree-pey-tree-it ]

verb (used with object)

, re·pa·tri·at·ed, re·pa·tri·at·ing.

1. to bring or send back (a person, especially a prisoner of war, a refugee, etc.) to their country or land of citizenship.
2. to send (profits or other assets) back to one's own country.
3. to restore to a country that has attained sovereignty something that was formerly held or administered on that country’s behalf by a colonial power:

   In 1982, the Trudeau government repatriated Canada's constitution from Britain.

verb (used without object)

, re·pa·tri·at·ed, re·pa·tri·at·ing.

1. to return to one's own country:

   to repatriate after 20 years abroad.

noun

1. a person who has been repatriated.

repatriate

verb

1. to send back (a refugee, prisoner of war, etc) to the country of his birth or citizenship
2. to send back (a sum of money previously invested abroad) to its country of origin

noun

1. a person who has been repatriated

Derived Forms

• reˌpatriˈation, noun

Other Words From

• re·pa·tri·a·ble [ree-, pey, -tree-, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• re·pa·tri·a·tion [ree-pey-tree-, ey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• non·re·pa·tri·a·ble adjective
• un·re·pa·tri·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriate¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin repatriātus (past participle of repatriāre “to return to one's fatherland”), equivalent to Latin re- “again, back” + patri(a) “native country” (noun use of feminine of patrius “paternal,” derivative of pater “father”) + -ātus past participle suffix; re-, father, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriate¹

C17: from Late Latin repatriāre from Latin re- + patria fatherland; compare repair ²

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the Brazilian government has engaged in its own lengthy legal battle in federal court to try to repatriate the gemstone.

From Los Angeles Times

"We need to see decisive action to end such practices and respectfully repatriate stolen remains to their rightful resting places," she said.

From BBC

They are also trying to build consensus around subjects such as the last rites of repatriated remains.

From BBC

This poses further challenges Italy's policy of repatriating migrants without visas.

From BBC

The coroner said she ordered a post-mortem examination when the body of Mrs Savage was repatriated to Wales, which was carried out at Glan Clwyd Hospital.

From BBC