Pronunciation: res-tih-TOO-shun
Simple meaning
Restitution means restoring, returning, repaying, or making compensation for something that was damaged, taken, or lost.
Today, people may hear restitution as a legal word connected with repayment or compensation. In Big Book study, the word is closely connected with amends, repair, responsibility, and setting right what can be set right.
Older meaning
Older dictionary definitions often describe restitution as restoration, repayment, return of something lost or taken, or compensation for injury or loss.
That older meaning matters because restitution is not only about saying “I’m sorry.” It points toward repair where repair is possible.
Why this word matters
In Big Book reading, “restitution” matters because some harms require more than words.
An apology may be part of an amends, but restitution asks whether something can be restored, repaid, returned, corrected, or made right in a practical way.
That does not mean restitution is always simple. Some harms cannot be fully undone. Some situations require wisdom, timing, guidance, and care. Some direct contact may cause more harm. Some restitution may involve changed behavior over time.
The word matters because it keeps amends from becoming only an emotional or verbal act. It asks what repair is actually possible.
Common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is to think restitution always means money.
Sometimes it does involve repayment. But restitution can also involve returning property, correcting a lie, repairing damage, admitting the truth, fulfilling neglected responsibilities, or changing conduct.
Another misunderstanding is to think restitution means forcing a situation to feel resolved. It does not. A person can make restitution where possible, but they cannot control another person’s response.
A useful question is:
What can reasonably be restored, repaid, corrected, or repaired without causing further harm?
Helpful meeting handle
A common recovery idea is that amends means making things right.
That can be a useful handle. Restitution helps make that idea practical by asking what repair can actually be made.
But “making things right” does not always mean making everything feel good. It may mean taking the honest next action, even when the result is not in our control.
Study note
This website works best with a copy of the Big Book in your hand. Look for the word “restitution” and related ideas in the first 164 pages and nearby discussion. Notice whether the surrounding passage is talking about amends, repayment, harm, honesty, responsibility, timing, or repair.
Related words
amends
harm
honesty
responsibility
humility