1. plural of patriation; the transfer of constitutional powers from a colonial or parent country to a former colony or dominion, granting it full sovereignty and independence.
Usage: chiefly Canadian and Commonwealth history; most commonly refers to Canada's patriation of its constitution from Britain in 1982

Examples

• Canada's patriation of its constitution in 1982 marked a major step toward full independence from Britain.
• The patriations of former colonies represented a shift in global power dynamics during the 20th century.
• Debates over patriation often centered on how much autonomy newly independent nations should retain.
• Several Commonwealth nations underwent patriations as they moved toward self-governance.
• The patriation process required negotiation between colonial governments and their parent countries.