reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən 
2
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
3
: the payment of damages : indemnification
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in plural
Examples of reparation in a Sentence
The country paid millions in reparations.
They've offered no apologies and seem to have no thoughts of reparation.
She says she's sorry and wants to make reparations.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, even if a ceasefire is reached soon, Russia is likely to maintain control over the occupied territories, while Ukraine's hopes of receiving reparations from Moscow for post-war reconstruction appear unrealistic.
—
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
The situation exposes how an experiment in reparations that sought to lift people disproportionately harmed by prior enforcement against marijuana not only failed but also helped derail the rollout of legal cannabis in New York.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Legislation now under consideration by the Maryland legislature, the Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act of 2025, aims to hold energy producers liable for the effects of climate change by effectively forcing them to pay reparations.
—Christopher B. Summers, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025
In the United States, private reparations initiatives have been repeatedly undercut by debates over who, exactly, deserves to pay or be paid.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reparation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Katya Soldak, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
The situation exposes how an experiment in reparations that sought to lift people disproportionately harmed by prior enforcement against marijuana not only failed but also helped derail the rollout of legal cannabis in New York.
—Ashley Southall, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Legislation now under consideration by the Maryland legislature, the Responding to Emergency Needs From Extreme Weather (RENEW) Act of 2025, aims to hold energy producers liable for the effects of climate change by effectively forcing them to pay reparations.
—Christopher B. Summers, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2025
In the United States, private reparations initiatives have been repeatedly undercut by debates over who, exactly, deserves to pay or be paid.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reparation
Cite this Entry
“Reparation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reparation. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌrep-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: a repairing or keeping in repair
a building in need of constant reparation
2
: the act of making up for a wrong
3
: money or materials paid or to be paid by a country losing a war to the winner to make up for damages done in the war
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
reparation
noun
rep·a·ra·tion
ˌre-pə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury
b
: something done or given as amends or satisfaction
2
: the payment of damages
specifically
: compensation in money or materials payable by a defeated nation for damages to or expenditures sustained by another nation as a result of hostilities with the defeated nation
—usually used in pl.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share