repatriation
noun
re·pa·tri·a·tion
(ˌ)rē-ˌpā-trē-ˈā-shən 
-ˌpa-
plural repatriations
: the act or process of restoring or returning someone or something to the country of origin, allegiance, or citizenship : the act of repatriating or the state of being repatriated
While officials privately acknowledge there is scant legal basis for repatriation, their public statements suggest that they would use lawsuits, diplomatic pressure and shame to bring home looted objects—not unlike Italy, Greece and Egypt, which have sought, with some success, to recover antiquities in European and American museums.—
Andrew Jacobs
Andrew JacobsThey say they have that right under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which requires that human remains and artifacts be returned to Indian tribes that can show a cultural link.—Timothy Egan
Timothy EganThis left him an illegal immigrant in Hong Kong, subject to arrest and repatriation at any time.—Nicholas D. Kristof
Nicholas D. KristofExamples of repatriation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That same day, Noem will meet with Honduran President Xiomara Castro and Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Bu Soto in Honduras, then travel to the Soto Cano Air Base to learn about the repatriation of immigrants.
—Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025
Medical coverage $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
$250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
$750 in emergency dental treatment coverage
Pre-existing conditions
No coverage for pre-existing conditions within 60 days of your policy’s start date.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 June 2025
If successful, this repatriation could supercharge domestic innovation while depriving Western labs of critical expertise.
—Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Eva Baham, a historian from Dillard University who led the cultural repatriation committee, said during Saturday's service.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
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Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025
Medical coverage $75,000 in emergency accident and sickness coverage
$250,000 in evacuation and repatriation coverage
$750 in emergency dental treatment coverage
Pre-existing conditions
No coverage for pre-existing conditions within 60 days of your policy’s start date.
—Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 June 2025
If successful, this repatriation could supercharge domestic innovation while depriving Western labs of critical expertise.
—Moin Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Eva Baham, a historian from Dillard University who led the cultural repatriation committee, said during Saturday's service.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for repatriation
Cite this Entry
“Repatriation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repatriation. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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