reparations: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; used in academic, legal, political, and historical discourse.
Quick answer
What does “reparations” mean?
A compensation in money, goods, or services demanded from a nation defeated in war by the victors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compensation in money, goods, or services demanded from a nation defeated in war by the victors.
Payments or actions made to address a wrong, injury, or injustice, often of a historical, systemic nature.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. US usage is more prominent in contemporary discourse regarding slavery and racial justice.
Connotations
In both, it evokes 20th-century history (e.g., WWI). In the US, it now strongly connotes debates over compensation for descendants of enslaved people.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English in the 21st century due to domestic political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “reparations” in a Sentence
reparations for + (wrong/injustice)reparations to + (group/individual)reparations from + (perpetrating nation/group)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reparations” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government was forced to **reparate** the damages. (Note: extremely rare, 'pay reparations' is standard)
American English
- The committee discussed how to **provide reparations** to the affected communities.
adverb
British English
- The agreement was settled **reparatively**. (Highly unusual)
American English
- The nation acted **in a reparative manner**. (Phrasal)
adjective
British English
- The **reparative** justice model was debated in parliament.
American English
- They proposed a **reparations** bill in the Senate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless in the context of contractual damages or historical business injustices.
Academic
Common in history, political science, law, and sociology papers discussing post-conflict justice or historical wrongs.
Everyday
Used in serious discussions about politics, history, and social justice.
Technical
Used in international law (e.g., the law of state responsibility).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “reparations”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “reparations”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reparations”
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'much reparations' is incorrect; use 'many reparations' or 'a lot of reparations'). Confusing it with 'repairs' for physical objects.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the context of formal compensation (e.g., war reparations), it is almost always used in the plural. The singular 'reparation' is more general and abstract.
'Reparations' implies compensation for a grave, often historical or systemic, wrong, typically involving a state or large entity. 'Compensation' is broader and can apply to any loss or injury.
Yes, modern conceptions of reparations often include symbolic acts, land returns, educational programmes, and formal apologies, not just monetary payments.
It is central to the national debate about addressing the lasting economic and social impacts of slavery and racial discrimination through compensatory measures.
A compensation in money, goods, or services demanded from a nation defeated in war by the victors.
Reparations is usually formal; used in academic, legal, political, and historical discourse. in register.
Reparations: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛp.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛp.əˈreɪ.ʃənz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make reparations”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a nation RE-PAIR-ing (repairing) a damaged relationship after a war by paying REPARATIONS.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A DEBT TO BE PAID (reparations as settling a moral account).
Practice
Quiz
In modern political discourse, 'reparations' most commonly refers to: