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
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
Thompson received nearly $136,000 in total compensation in 2023, the most recent year for which tax records were available — up from $95,608 a year earlier.
—
La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
—David McMillin, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The instructor’s compensation is far from unusual for them.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Politico first broke the news of McEntee’s registration as a Tencent lobbyist in September; however, his compensation for the role has so far been unreported following its disclosure in a congressional document filed on Monday.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
—David McMillin, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The instructor’s compensation is far from unusual for them.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
Politico first broke the news of McEntee’s registration as a Tencent lobbyist in September; however, his compensation for the role has so far been unreported following its disclosure in a congressional document filed on Monday.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensation
Cite this Entry
“Compensation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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
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