repatriation

American  

[ree-pey-tree-ey-shuhn] / riˌpeɪ triˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of returning a person or thing to the country of origin.

   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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonrepatriation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of repatriation

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. )

Explanation

Repatriation is the act of returning to your own country. If you’ve been living in another country since you were two, and you are now thirty-five, repatriation may be more complicated. In Latin, the prefix re- signifies a return of some kind, and patria is another way of saying a person's native land. Repatriation generally refers to a person who has either forcibly or voluntarily left his own country and is now returning. It can also refer to the return of important objects, like historical artifacts, to their country of origin. If you're a patriotic person, then repatriation is important to you, especially for significant people or objects!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

repatriation

"The people who came into the houses of Zimbabweans were police officers saying that you are living here illegally," he told AFP as he prepared for repatriation.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

The UN rights office said some seafarers had been abandoned at sea by ship owners who had left them without support, repatriation and wages, including at least nine ships with 93 crew members.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

At this point, the global market appears relatively unconcerned about Japanese repatriation flows.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026

"I didn't even know what the word repatriation meant."

From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026

In the evenings she reads while Etienne makes phone calls, petitions repatriation authorities, and writes letters.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• reconstruction
• recovery
• refurbishment
• rehabilitation
• reinstatement
• renewal
• renovation
• revival