restitution

[ res-ti-too-shuhn, -tyoo- ]

noun

1. reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification.

   Synonyms: repayment, satisfaction, requital, compensation, amends, recompense

2. the restoration of property or rights previously taken away, conveyed, or surrendered.
3. restoration to the former or original state or position.
4. Physics. the return to an original physical condition, especially after elastic deformation.

restitution

/ ˌrɛstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving back something that has been lost or stolen
2. law the act of compensating for loss or injury by reverting as far as possible to the position before such injury occurred
3. the return of an object or system to its original state, esp a restoration of shape after elastic deformation

Derived Forms

• ˈrestiˌtutive, adjective

Other Words From

• resti·tutive res·ti·tu·to·ry [res-ti-, too, -t, uh, -ree, -, tyoo, -], adjective
• nonres·ti·tution noun
• un·resti·tutive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restitution¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English restitucioun, from Old French restitution, restitucion, from Latin restitūtiōn- (stem of restitūtiō ) “a rebuilding, restoration,” equivalent to restitūt(us) + -iōn-. See restitute, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of restitution¹

C13: from Latin rēstitūtiō , from rēstituere to rebuild, from re- + statuere to set up

Synonym Study

See redress.

Example Sentences

Those losses were multiplied by millions of lives, over hundreds of years, stunting the development of a continent whose governments have since struggled to find the will to ask for restitution.

From Quartz

They also don’t know how many felons on the voter rolls owe court fees, fines or restitution that would disqualify them from voting under a subsequent state law that limited the amendment’s scope.

From ProPublica

Of the 45,300 felons Sukhatme identified on the voter rolls, 78% might owe fees, fines or restitution, he said.

From ProPublica

The CFTC said its order will recognize and offset restitution and disgorgement payments made to the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission.

From Fortune

A rental car customer from New Mexico, Jeffrey Garvin, then sued the rental car companies in 2020 seeking class action status to obtain restitution and stop the fee.

From Voice of San Diego

Serna was sentenced to 121 months in prison for his crimes and ordered to pay $4.6 million in restitution.

From The Daily Beast

In 1970, and again in 1980, restitution was back on the agenda, and my mother and my aunt reclaimed paintings by Monet and Léger.

From The Daily Beast

If they are definitively convicted, they also will share in the responsibility of restitution, whether the house is sold or not.

From The Daily Beast

Sentenced to 180 days in jail; served 30 days with three years probation and $600,000 restitution to Bloom.

From The Daily Beast

In 2010, he was ordered to pay more than $790,000 in restitution, and sentenced to 21 months in federal prison.

From The Daily Beast

Consequently, though the donor's intention may be subsequently altered, no obligation to make restitution will arise.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the 1st of April the restitution of the colony to the Spaniards was solemnized.

From Project Gutenberg

Even as she had hastened to be revenged on Howard Templeton for her wrongs, she now made haste to offer restitution.

From Project Gutenberg

And when that act of restitution was accomplished, Xenie fell into strange and dangerous apathy.

From Project Gutenberg

Prince Henry's favour had brought liberty and restitution very close.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• indemnity
• payment
• rebate
• redress
• refund
• reimbursement
• reparation
• restoration

More About Restitution

What does restitution mean?

Restitution is payment or some other form of compensation that is given to make up for loss, damage, or injury that has been caused.

Restitution can also refer to the act or process of compensating someone in this way.

The point of restitution is to return what has been lost or stolen or to repair the damage or injury that has been done so that things can be returned to how they originally were or as close as possible.

The word is especially used in a legal context to refer to compensation that is required by someone who has caused loss, damage, or injury as part of a crime. Restitution often involves monetary payments, but it can involve other forms of compensation.

Example: The defendant was ordered to pay $1 million dollars in restitution to compensate for injuries and property damage. 

Where does restitution come from?

The first records of the word restitution come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin verb rēstituere, meaning “to rebuild.”

Some injuries and damage can’t be undone, but the goal of restitution is to try to return things to their original state as much as is possible. When someone is ordered to pay restitution by a court, it often includes payment not only to the victim but also to the state, such as for court costs.

The word reparations is sometimes used interchangeably with restitution and refers to forms of restitution or compensation provided to those who have suffered wrongdoing or to their descendents. The word reparations is sometimes thought to be inappropriate for the type of compensation sought by some groups, who may consider it a payment of an existing debt, rather than a form of restitution.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to restitution?

• restitutive (adjective)
• restitutory (adjective)
• restitute (verb)

What are some synonyms for restitution?

• reparation
• redress
• compensation
• repayment
• indemnification

What are some words that share a root or word element with restitution? 

• institution
• destitution

What are some words that often get used in discussing restitution?

• order
• pay
• payment
• compensate
• make
• amends
• damage
• loss
• injury
• property
• return
• court
• lawsuit

How is restitution used in real life?

Restitution is most commonly used in a legal context that involves someone being ordered to compensate someone else for loss, damage, or injury.

DOT OIG #investigation leads to Wisconsin company executives being ordered to pay $3.9M in restitution for illegally storing #hazmat https://t.co/CxTXlywrU7

— U.S. DOT OIG (@DOTInspectorGen) February 10, 2021

That money can’t even begin to compensate for the utter destruction of a man’s livelihood. When taking responsibility for wrongdoing, you make restitution. The person wronged is made whole first—then you can invest money in institutions whose objective is to end racism.

— Felicia Middlebrooks (@FeliciaConnects) February 9, 2021

Without Restitution there cannot be true reconciliation.

— Clement Ibe (@clementibe) March 20, 2020

Try using restitution!

Which of the following words is a synonym of restitution?

A. redress
B. repayment
C. compensation
D. all of the above