Word
compensation
Phoneticscom·pen·sa·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌkɑmpənˈseɪʃən/
UK/kˌɒmpənsˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01money for loss or injury
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law
n. money that you receive because you were injured or something you own was damaged.
n. something, typically money, awarded to someone as a recompense for loss, injury, or suffering.
“The airline offered the passengers financial compensation for the long delay.”
“The court ordered the company to pay substantial compensation to the workers who had been exposed to hazardous chemicals without proper safety equipment.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'claim' or 'award'.
Synonyms
02salary and benefits
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the total amount of money and other benefits an employee receives for their work.
n. the total amount of the monetary and non-monetary pay provided to an employee by an employer.
“The job offer includes a competitive salary and a generous compensation package.”
“The executive's total compensation includes a base salary, annual bonuses, and stock options based on the firm's performance.”
Usage
Common in human resources and corporate contexts.
Teaching tip
In American English, this is the standard formal term for a 'pay package'.
Synonyms
03balancing a weakness
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. something that makes a bad situation feel better or balances out a problem.
n. the process of concealing or offsetting a psychological or physical defect by developing another trait.
“His great sense of humor was a compensation for his lack of confidence.”
“The patient's brain showed remarkable compensation, with the healthy hemisphere taking over functions previously managed by the damaged area.”
Usage
Often used in psychological or biological contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “compensation” in context.
Verb
01. award compensation to the plaintiff
“The judge chose to award compensation to the plaintiff after reviewing the evidence of negligence.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. receive financial compensation
“Families of the victims will receive financial compensation from the insurance company.”
verb + adj + noun
03. seek compensation for the injury
“The victim decided to seek compensation for the injury sustained during the workplace accident.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. adequate compensation for losses
“Small business owners argued that the government grants were not adequate compensation for losses during the lockdown.”
adj + noun + prep + noun
05. generous compensation package
“The executive was lured away by a generous compensation package that included stock options.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. claim for compensation
“The legal team filed a formal claim for compensation following the breach of contract.”
noun + prep + noun
07. workers' compensation scheme
“The new legislation aims to streamline the workers' compensation scheme to ensure faster payouts.”
noun + noun
Preposition
08. in compensation for the delay
“The airline offered passengers travel vouchers in compensation for the delay.”
prep + noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“And sure enough at the end of the season he did join City, who had to pay Chelsea a huge compensation figure, even though he was no longer their manager.” “Some passengers may also be entitled to financial compensation when a cancellation or delay is due to the strike.” “Ryanair said it would not comment on the preliminary report, or on whether Karović would receive compensation, until after the final report was published.” “At the upper end of its estimate, about £1.2bn in costs would come from businesses who are forced to pay workers compensation for cancelled shifts.” Etymology
From Middle English compensacioun, from Old French compensacion, from Latin compensātiōnem, accusative singular of compensātiō. Equivalent to compensate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/compensation