satisfaction

UK: /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃ^ən/ US: /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ ,(sat′is fak′shən)

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

sat•is•fac•tion /ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the state or feeling of being satisfied:
   a feeling of satisfaction at a job well done.
2. a cause or means of fulfilling a need.
3. the condition of being confident of something as satisfactory, etc.:
   The work was done to the boss's satisfaction.
4. money or action to pay for a wrong or injury:
   demanded satisfaction for the harm done.

See -sat-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

sat•is•fac•tion  (sat′is fak′shən), n. 

1. an act of satisfying;
   fulfillment;
   gratification.
2. the state of being satisfied;
   contentment.
3. the cause or means of being satisfied.
4. confident acceptance of something as satisfactory, dependable, true, etc.
5. reparation or compensation, as for a wrong or injury.
6. the opportunity to redress or right a wrong, as by a duel.
7. payment or discharge, as of a debt or obligation.
8. Religion [Eccles.]
   • an act of doing penance or making reparation for venial sin.
   • the penance or reparation made.

• Latin, as above
• Anglo-French
• Latin satisfactiōn- (stem of satisfactiō) a doing enough, equivalent. to satisfact(us) (past participle of satisfacere, equivalent. to satis enough + facere to make, do¹) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English satisfaccioun
• 1250–1300

sat′is•fac′tion•al, adj. 
sat′is•fac′tion•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. enjoyment, pleasure, comfort.
• 5. amends, expiation, atonement, indemnity, indemnification, requital, recompense.
• 7. repayment, remuneration.

Antonyms

• 2. displeasure, discontent.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

satisfaction / ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ noun

1. the act of satisfying or state of being satisfied
2. the fulfilment of a desire
3. the pleasure obtained from such fulfilment
4. a source of fulfilment
5. reparation or compensation for a wrong done or received
6. the performance by a repentant sinner of a penance
7. the atonement for sin by the death of Christ

Etymology: 15th Century: via French from Latin satisfactionem, from satisfacere to satisfy