What does repatriation mean?
Repatriation is the process of returning someone to their homeland or bringing an item back to its place of origin. The term is most commonly used for refugees, prisoners of war, and other people who are abroad involuntarily, although it can also describe the recovery of cultural objects or property. Repatriation can be voluntary or arranged by governments, international organizations, courts, museums, and other institutions. Unlike immigration, which concerns entry into a country, repatriation emphasizes movement back to a country regarded as home. The word carries a strong sense of restoration and belonging, while also suggesting questions of legal status, responsibility, and political settlement.
nounThe act or process of returning a person to their country of origin or citizenship, especially a refugee, prisoner of war, or person held abroad. It can also refer to bringing cultural objects, property, or assets back to their place of origin.
- The return of a person to their country of origin or citizenship, especially a refugee, prisoner of war, or person held abroad.
- The return of cultural objects, property, or other assets to their place of origin.
"The organization assisted with the repatriation of refugees displaced by the conflict."
"After the ceasefire, the government organized the repatriation of displaced families."
"The museum reached an agreement over the repatriation of several contested artifacts."
The plural is uncommon and is used when referring to multiple separate cases or processes of return.
"The two repatriations took place in different countries."
The word “repatriation” turns the idea of a homeland into an action: it names the process of bringing people—or sometimes treasured objects—back where they belong.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repatriation come from?
Repatriation derives from Latin repatriare, meaning “to bring back to one’s fatherland.” That verb was formed from patria, meaning “fatherland” or “native land,” which also underlies English words such as patriot, patriotic, and patrimony. In English, repatriation developed especially in legal, military, and humanitarian contexts referring to the return of people who were abroad.
Related word forms
How repatriation is actually used
The word is most often associated with the return of refugees, prisoners of war, and people detained abroad. In discussions of cultural property, it can refer to the transfer of objects to their country of origin; this usage may be politically or legally sensitive.
Easily confused with repatriation
Repatriation means returning a person or thing to their homeland, whereas immigration means bringing a person into a country to reside there.