Pensation

Pensation is not a standard term in contemporary English. In most contexts it is encountered as either a misspelling of related words such as pension or compensation, or as an archaic or dialect form that does not have a widely recognized distinct meaning.

The closest established terms are pension and compensation. A pension typically refers to a regular payment made by a government, employer, or other organization, often after retirement. Compensation, by contrast, denotes payment or other recompense for services rendered, for loss or injury, or for damages in a legal or financial context. Some historical texts show “pensation” as a variant spelling or as a general, catch‑all term for payment, but this usage is not common or accepted in modern standard English.

In current writing, if you encounter "pensation," it is advisable to determine the intended sense from context and replace it with either pension or compensation accordingly. If used in a historical document, note that the form may reflect older spelling conventions or transcription practices rather than a distinct, current meaning.

See also: pension, compensation, remuneration, allowance, stipend.