Damages Definition: Court-Ordered Compensation

Meaning 1：court-ordered compensation (damages)

damages 🔊

/ˈdæmɪdʒɪz/

n. (pl.)

Money that a court orders someone to pay to another person because they have harmed them or their property.

court-ordered compensation 🔊

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/kɔːrt ˈɔːrdərd ˌkɑːmpənˈseɪʃən/

n. (pl.)

Money a court orders a person or entity to pay to another for harm or loss caused by a legal wrong.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'damnum' (loss) via Old French 'damage'.

💡 Mnemonic

A broken 'dam' causes loss; paying 'ages' to fix it.

📖 Example

After slipping on the wet floor in the shopping mall, she successfully sued for damages to cover her medical bills and lost income. 🔊 After slipping on the wet floor in the shopping mall, she successfully sued for damages to cover her medical bills and lost income.

🔗 Collocations

claim damages – To request monetary compensation through legal action

award damages – For a court to grant a specific amount of compensation

recover damages – To obtain the compensation awarded by the court

🔄 Synonyms

compensation (n.) – Something given to make up for a loss or injury

restitution (n.) – Return of something to its rightful owner, often as a legal remedy

indemnity (n.) – Security or protection against a loss or burden

🌱 Derivatives

damage (v./n.) – To cause harm or injury; the harm itself

damaging (adj.) – Causing harm or injury

damaged (adj.) – Harmed or injured

📖 Cultural Story

In medieval English common law, 'damages' evolved as a remedy for civil wrongs, requiring compensation for loss. It remains central to tort law.