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

Other Word Forms

• restitutive adjective
• restitutory adjective
• nonrestitution noun
• unrestitutive 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

In 2023, Amuah was sentenced to 86 months in prison and the car was reportedly one of the items flagged as part of restitution to victims.

From BBC

He will be ordered to pay restitution in this case before a United States district judge at a later date.

From Los Angeles Times

District Judge Jesus G. Bernal sentenced her to six months of probation and ordered her to pay $30,000 in restitution.

From Los Angeles Times

Song’s next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 16, when she faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years and must pay restitution to her victims, according to the release.

From Los Angeles Times

He will also have to take a driver safety course and pay restitution.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.