repatriation

[ree-pey-tree-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of returning a person or thing to the country of origin: Museums are increasingly facing pressure from formerly colonized countries seeking repatriation of their priceless antiquities.

   If conditions allow, refugees can be offered the option of voluntary repatriation rather than resettlement in countries offering asylum.

   Museums are increasingly facing pressure from formerly colonized countries seeking repatriation of their priceless antiquities.

Other Word Forms

• nonrepatriation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of repatriation¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin repatriation-, stem of repatriatio “a returning to one's fatherland,” equivalent to repatriāt-, stem of repatriāre + Latin -iō -ion ( def. ); repatriate ( def. )

Example Sentences

The latest repatriations came after Israel said one of four bodies returned by Hamas on Tuesday was not one of the missing hostages.

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"If the government of his country of origin expresses interest in his repatriation, Ukraine is open to negotiations about transferring him home," Ukrainian spokesperson Mr Yatsenko said.

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While the Salvadoran government has not released public communications about the repatriation of children from the U.S.,

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A UK forensic pathologist told the inquest this could not be determined and criticised the treatment of her body which involved her organs inexplicably being dissected prior to repatriation.

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Later, he worked with University of California President Michael V. Drake on a Native American remains repatriation program.

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Related Words

• reconstruction 
• recovery 
• refurbishment www.thesaurus.com
• rehabilitation 
• reinstatement 
• renewal 
• renovation 
• revival