nominal damages
Americanplural noun
Etymology
Origin of nominal damages
First recorded in 1790–1800
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Tesla CEO was awarded $1 in nominal damages on Friday, in addition to the reinstatement of his package.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 19, 2025
He is seeking a permanent injunction on “time, place and manner” restrictions on speech in public places as well as compensatory, punitive and nominal damages and attorneys’ fees.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024
The arbitrator determined that Kobe Inc. “has proven breach but not actual damages” and awarded nominal damages of $1 for each of the three claims.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2023
It says that, by Friday, the duchess is to receive “£1 by way of nominal damages for misuse of private information.”
From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2022
If the student cannot prove that the failure to hold a hearing itself caused him some compensable harm, then the student is entitled to no more than nominal damages, such as $1.00.
From What Works: Schools Without Drugs by Education, United States Department of
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
