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

Grange will also meet with British Museum officials to "advance discussions on the repatriation of artefacts" taken from Jamaica during the colonial era.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

Several deportees have already returned to their home countries after requesting voluntary repatriation to reunite with their families, the government previously said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

Also, if the Bank of Japan wishes to strengthen the yen by encouraging the repatriation of Japanese capital, this could trigger huge and highly disruptive capital outflows.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

After protracted talks the bird was taken to a wildlife centre in Beirut, Lebanon, where he recuperated for more than half a year before his repatriation on a Serbian military plane.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 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