Definitions for retributionˌrɛ trəˈbyu ʃən

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ret•ri•bu•tion^*ˌrɛ trəˈbyu ʃən(n.)

requital according to merits or deserts, esp. for evil.
something given or inflicted in such requital.
Theol. the distribution of rewards and punishments in a future life.
Category: Religion

^* Syn: See revenge.

Origin of retribution:

1350–1400; ME retribucioun < MF < LL retribūtiō (calque of Gk antídosis ) = L retribū-, var. s. of retribuere to give back (something owed) (see re -, tribute ) +-tiō -tion

Princeton's WordNet

retribution, requital(noun)
a justly deserved penalty
retribution(noun)
the act of correcting for your wrongdoing
vengeance, retribution, payback(noun)
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord"--Romans 12:19; "For vengeance I would do nothing. This nation is too great to look for mere revenge"--James Garfield; "he swore vengeance on the man who betrayed him"; "the swiftness of divine retribution"

Wiktionary

retribution(Noun)
Punishment inflicted in the spirit of moral outrage or personal vengeance.

Origin: from retribuere.

Webster Dictionary

Retribution(noun)
the act of retributing; repayment
Retribution(noun)
that which is given in repayment or compensation; return suitable to the merits or deserts of, as an action; commonly, condign punishment for evil or wrong
Retribution(noun)
specifically, reward and punishment, as distributed at the general judgment