/re'treuh byooh"sheuhn/ , n.
1. requital according to merits or deserts, esp. for evil.
2. something given or inflicted in such requital.
3. Theol. the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.
[ 1350-1400; ME retribucioun retribution- (s. of retributio ) punishment, reward as result of judgment, equiv. to L retribut ( us ) (ptp. of retribuere to restore, give back; see RE-, TRIBUTE) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1, 2. retaliation, repayment, recompense. See revenge .
Ant. 1, 2. pardon.