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
Synonyms
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
The trade with the Rams furthers the compensation added in the Burns trade, while also helping the Panthers land an upgrade at running back.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2024
In 2022, his compensation totaled about $32.1 million.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
According to Mercer’s March 2024 U.S. Compensation Planning survey, on average, employers raised compensation budgets by 3.3% for merit increases and 3.6% for total salary increases for non-unionized employees—both figures coming in lower than November projections of 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
The compensation unveiled for Comcast top brass on Friday was for what was a strong 2023 for the conglomerate.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
His latest bill, which failed to pass the Legislature before the end of its session, would have expanded the well compensation program so that more people would be eligible for well replacements if nitrates and bacteria were found in their water.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Airlines often offer customers compensation in the form of vouchers or miles with values that are less than the flight's original cost.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
The ratio of the CEO's total compensation to the median of all employees' total compensation is 303-to-1, a disclosure required in the annual executive compensation report.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
Boeing’s culpability is a settled issue; those trials are only to determine compensation for each case.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2024
In 2022, his compensation totaled about $32.1 million.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024
According to Mercer’s March 2024 U.S. Compensation Planning survey, on average, employers raised compensation budgets by 3.3% for merit increases and 3.6% for total salary increases for non-unionized employees—both figures coming in lower than November projections of 3.5% and 3.8%, respectively.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
The compensation unveiled for Comcast top brass on Friday was for what was a strong 2023 for the conglomerate.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024
His latest bill, which failed to pass the Legislature before the end of its session, would have expanded the well compensation program so that more people would be eligible for well replacements if nitrates and bacteria were found in their water.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
Airlines often offer customers compensation in the form of vouchers or miles with values that are less than the flight's original cost.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
The ratio of the CEO's total compensation to the median of all employees' total compensation is 303-to-1, a disclosure required in the annual executive compensation report.
—Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
Boeing’s culpability is a settled issue; those trials are only to determine compensation for each case.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compensation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compensation
Cite this Entry
“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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
Share