repatriation

Everyday

1. Sending or bringing someone back to their own country. tree →
2. Returning things, like money or museum objects, to the country they came from. tree →
3. (euphemism-like, formal) Bringing home the body of someone who died abroad, for a funeral. tree →

In the lessons

In history and the news, repatriation is about refugees, prisoners of war or citizens being brought home, and about museums returning objects taken long ago (like the Benin Bronzes). It can be kind (bringing someone home) or hard (sending people back who do not want to go). Phrases: repatriation of refugees, repatriation flight, repatriation of artefacts.

Examples

• After the war, there was a repatriation of prisoners. tree →
• The museum agreed to the repatriation of the ancient statue. tree →
• Many families waited for the repatriation of their loved ones. tree →
• A repatriation flight brought the stranded tourists home. tree →
• Some refugees were afraid of repatriation to a dangerous country. tree →
• The insurance covers repatriation if you fall ill abroad. tree →

Note

Verb: repatriate. "Patria" is Latin for "homeland", so repatriation = back to the homeland. The opposite idea is "expatriate" (someone living abroad). Formal word used in news and law.