repatriation
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
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!
Vocabulary lists containing repatriation
Not Your Father's Word List: Pater, Patr
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Human Geography - Middle School
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Farewell to Manzanar
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At this point, the global market appears relatively unconcerned about Japanese repatriation flows.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
More than 270 Ugandan nationals arrived home late Thursday aboard their government's first voluntary repatriation flight, the high commissioner said on social media.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
"I didn't even know what the word repatriation meant."
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Local police told the BBC the two older men have been taken into the custody of the Canadian Border Agency for repatriation.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
