noun

reparations

rep-uh-RAY-shuhnz

Reparations (noun) means Payments or other compensation made to a group of people, usually by a state or institution, for a historical injustice done to them or their ancestors, such as slavery, colonial rule or genocide. Example: “Campaigners are demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved people.”

noun

Payments or other compensation made to a group of people, usually by a state or institution, for a historical injustice done to them or their ancestors, such as slavery, colonial rule or genocide.

"Campaigners are demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved people."

"The university set up a scholarship fund as a form of reparations."

Money and goods a defeated country is required to pay to the victors after a war to cover the damage it caused.

"The Treaty of Versailles imposed crushing reparations on Germany."

usually singular: reparation The act of making amends for a wrong you have done.

"He offered to work weekends as reparation for the damage."

How to Use Reparations

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPayments made to make up for a serious wrong done to a group of people.

When to use it

Formal; frequent in political, legal and historical writing.

Memory tip

The plural reparations means compensation to a group; the singular reparation usually means making amends generally.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

restitution → reparation → preparation →

Common pairings

pay reparations demand reparations war reparations reparations for slavery

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Campaigners are demanding _____ for the descendants of enslaved people.

Etymology

From Latin reparare "to restore, repair", from re- "again" and parare "to make ready".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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compensation redress restitution atonement indemnity war damages amends recompense

Related Words

taking damage insurance payment penalty wage compensation reward

Rhymes for reparations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between reparations and restitution?

Restitution means returning the actual thing that was taken, such as stolen land, art or property. Reparations are broader compensation for harm that cannot simply be handed back, such as payments, programmes or services for a wronged group.

Are reparations always money?

No. Reparations can take the form of formal apologies, land transfers, scholarships, healthcare, memorials or debt cancellation. Cash payments are the most discussed form but not the only one.

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