restitution

UK: /ˌrɛstɪˈtjuːʃən/

US: /ˌrɛstɪˈtuʃən, -ˈtju-/

US: (res′ti to̅o̅′shən, -tyo̅o̅′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

res•ti•tu•tion /ˌrɛstɪˈtuʃən, -ˈtyu-/   n. [uncountable]

1. payment for loss, damage, or injury.
2. the restoration of property taken away.

See -stit-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

res•ti•tu•tion  (res′ti to̅o̅′shən, -tyo̅o̅′-), n. 

1. reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification.
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, esp. after elastic deformation.

• Latin restitūtiōn- (stem of restitūtiō) a rebuilding, restoration, equivalent. to restitūt(us) restitute + -iōn- -ion
• Old French restitution, restitucion
• Middle English restitucioun 1350–1400

res′ti•tu′tive, res•ti•tu•to•ry  (res′ti to̅o̅′tə rē, -tyo̅o̅′-), adj.  Synonyms

• 1. recompense, amends, compensation, requital, satisfaction, repayment. See redress. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

restitution / ˌrɛstɪˈtjuːʃən/ noun

1. the act of giving back something that has been lost or stolen
2. 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

Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin rēstitūtiō, from rēstituere to rebuild, from re- + statuere to set up

ˈrestiˌtutive, ˌrestiˈtutory adjective