English Reference
noun

satisfaction

n.
US /ˌsætəsˈfækʃən/ UK /sˌætɪsfˈækʃən/ sat·is·fac·tion UK spelling satisfaction's, satisfaction's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    the happy or proud feeling you have when you do something well or get what you need.

    the emotional state of pleasure or contentment arising from the fulfilment of a need, desire, or expectation.

    Simple

    She felt a great sense of satisfaction after finishing the marathon.

    In context

    The team derived immense satisfaction from seeing their long-term project finally reach the implementation phase without any major setbacks.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the act of meeting a need, a rule, or a demand.

    the act of fulfilling a requirement, obligation, or condition to an acceptable standard.

    Simple

    The company is working toward the satisfaction of all safety regulations.

    In context

    The legal team confirmed that the satisfaction of all contractual conditions had been met before the final payment was released.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal Law

    something done to make up for a mistake or an injury.

    reparation or compensation for an injury, loss, or perceived insult to one's honour.

    Simple

    He demanded satisfaction after his reputation was damaged by the false report.

    In context

    In historical contexts, a duel was often seen as the only way for a gentleman to receive satisfaction for a public insult.

    Usage

    Often used in the phrase 'to demand satisfaction'.

    reparationamendsredress

Results showed that individuals who reported the highest contentment with friendships and satisfaction with relationships also tended to report better overall mental and physical health.

Phys.org· 13 Aug 2026

My colleagues and I analyzed millions of job satisfaction reviews and thousands of reports of corporate financial performance, as well as hundreds of AI investments and layoff announcements made by U.S.

The Conversation· 12 Aug 2026

From Middle English satisfaccioun, from Old French satisfaccion and Latin satisfactiō, satisfactiōnis.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin satisfactio
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated