/ ˌretrɪˈbjuːʃn; NAmE / noun
[ U ] retribution (for sth) ( formal ) severe punishment for sth seriously wrong that sb has done :
People are seeking retribution for the latest terrorist outrages.
fear of divine retribution (= punishment from God)
► re·tribu·tive /rɪˈtrɪbjətɪv/ adjective [ usually before noun ]:
retributive justice
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense recompense for merit or a service ): from late Latin retributio(n-) , from retribut- assigned again, from the verb retribuere , from re- back + tribuere assign.