reparation

Everyday

1. Doing something or paying something to make up for a wrong or damage you caused. tree →
2. (law, history) Money a country or company must pay after a war or a wrong to help those who were harmed: «war reparations». tree →
3. (church) Christians speak of making reparation for sin: making amends after confession. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics lessons reparation means putting right what you did wrong: say sorry, pay for the broken window, fix things. In history countries paid reparations after wars. In schools «restorative» approaches ask pupils to make reparation to people they hurt. Phrases: «make reparation», «pay reparations», «reparation for».

Examples

• He made reparation by mowing the lawn of the neighbour whose window he broke. tree →
• After the war the country had to pay reparations. tree →
• Saying sorry is a start, but reparation means fixing it too. tree →
• The company paid reparation to the families who were harmed. tree →
• In the story the thief returned the gold as reparation. tree →
• Making reparation can help heal friendships. tree →

Note

Formal. «Reparations» (plural) is mostly about money after wars or great wrongs. Similar: amends («make amends»), compensation. Do not confuse with «repair» (fixing things) or «preparation».