1. compensation paid by a country that has lost a war to the countries that won
Usage: historical; international law
2. payments made to compensate for historical injustices or wrongs
Usage: political; social justice

Examples

• Germany paid war reparations to Allied nations after World War I.
• The treaty required the defeated country to pay reparations for damages.
• Many activists advocate for reparations to descendants of enslaved people.
• The government established a fund for reparations to victims of the policy.
• Reparations discussions often involve complex questions of justice and responsibility.
• The company agreed to pay reparations to affected communities.
• Historical reparations programs have taken various forms around the world.