Compensate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of COMPENSATE

somewhat formal

1

[no object]

:

to provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable

:

to make up for some defect or weakness

• His enthusiasm compensates for his lack of skill.
• The price of the item has been reduced to compensate for a defect.

2

[+ object]

:

to give money or something else of value to (someone) in return for something (such as work) or as payment for something lost, damaged, etc.

• compensate workers for their labor
• She was not compensated for the damage done to her car.

— compensatory

/kəmˈpɛnsəˌtori/ Brit /kəmˈpɛnsətri/ /kɒmpənˈseɪtri/

adjective

• a compensatory refund
• The patient sued for compensatory damages. [=money awarded to a victim to make up for an injury, damage, etc.]