compensation
noun
com·pen·sa·tion
ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən 
-ˌpen-
1
a
: the act of compensating : the state of being compensated
b
: correction of an organic defect or loss by hypertrophy or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
c
: a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another
2
a(1)
: something that constitutes an equivalent or recompense
Age has its compensations.
Moving to the coast had some drawbacks, but there were also compensations.
(2)
: payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents
receiving compensation from his employer
b
: payment, remuneration
working without compensation
Examples of compensation in a Sentence
The court awarded the victims millions of dollars in compensation.
She offered to pay for lunch as compensation for keeping me waiting.
Moving to the coast had some drawbacks, but there were also compensations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Samsung's management has offered to allocate 10% of operating profit to bonuses and provide a one-time special compensation package, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
The companies raised various legal claims, including that the Constitution requires the government to pay fair compensation when taking private property for public use.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 May 2026
If for any reason the editorial feature or cover-style execution cannot be produced or displayed, the remaining prize components shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsor’s prize obligation, and no additional compensation will be provided.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Who could receive compensation or apologies through the fund?
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for compensation
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show current usage.
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Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
The companies raised various legal claims, including that the Constitution requires the government to pay fair compensation when taking private property for public use.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 18 May 2026
If for any reason the editorial feature or cover-style execution cannot be produced or displayed, the remaining prize components shall constitute full satisfaction of Sponsor’s prize obligation, and no additional compensation will be provided.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Who could receive compensation or apologies through the fund?
—Nandika Chatterjee, Time, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for compensation
Cite this Entry
“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compensation
noun
com·pen·sa·tion
ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən
1
: the act of compensating : the state of being compensated
2
a
: something that compensates
especially
: payment to an unemployed or injured worker
b
: payment in the form of salary or wages
Medical Definition
compensation
noun
com·pen·sa·tion
ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən, -ˌpen-
1
: correction of an organic defect by excessive development or by increased functioning of another organ or unimpaired parts of the same organ
cardiac compensation
see decompensation
2
: a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another
Legal Definition
compensation
noun
com·pen·sa·tion
ˌkäm-pən-ˈsā-shən
1
: the act of compensating
2
in the civil law of Louisiana
: the ending of mutual obligations between two people for money or quantities of fungible things usually by operation of law but sometimes by an agreement
3
: something that makes up for a loss
received compensation for the breach of contract
specifically
: payment to unemployed or injured workers or their dependents see also unemployment compensation, workers' compensation
4
: payment for a thing of value tendered or a service rendered
the Senators and Representatives shall receive compensation for their services—U.S. Constitution art. I
U.S. Constitution art. ILove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
