First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1return
verb re·turn \ri-ˈtərn\
: to come or go to a place again : to come back or go back again
: to bring, give, send, or take (something) to the place that it came from or the place where it should go
: to bring or send (something that you bought) to the place that it came from because it does not work or fit properly, because it is damaged, etc.
Full Definition of RETURN
intransitive verb
1
a : to go back or come back again <return home> b : to go back in thought, practice, or condition : revert
2
: to pass back to an earlier possessor
transitive verb
1
a : to give (as an official account) to a superior b British : to elect (a candidate) as attested by official report or returns c : to bring back (as a writ or verdict) to an office or tribunal
2
a : to bring, send, or put back to a former or proper place b : to restore to a former or to a normal state
4
: to bring in (as profit) : yield
5
6
: to cause (as a wall) to continue in a different direction (as at a right angle)
7
: to lead (a specified suit or specified card of a suit) in response to a partner's earlier lead
8
a : to hit back (a ball or shuttlecock) b : to run with (a football) after a change of possession (as by a punt or a fumble)
— re·turn·er noun
See return defined for English-language learners
See return defined for kids
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Origin of RETURN
Middle English, from Anglo-French returner, from re- + turner, tourner to turn — more at turn
Synonym Discussion of RETURN
reciprocate, retaliate, requite, return mean to give back usually in kind or in quantity. reciprocate implies a mutual or equivalent exchange or a paying back of what one has received <reciprocated their hospitality by inviting them for a visit>. retaliate usually implies a paying back of injury in exact kind, often vengefully <the enemy retaliated by executing their prisoners>. requite implies a paying back according to one's preference and often not equivalently <requited her love with cold indifference>. return implies a paying or giving back <returned their call> <return good for evil>.
Rhymes with RETURN
2return
noun
: the act of coming or going back to the place you started from or to a place where you were before
: the act of going back to an activity, job, situation, etc. : the act of starting to do something again after stopping
: the fact that something (such as a condition, feeling, or situation) happens again
Full Definition of RETURN
1
a : the act of coming back to or from a place or condition b : a regular or frequent returning : recurrence
2
a (1) : the delivery of a legal order (as a writ) to the proper officer or court (2) : an endorsed certificate stating an official's action in the execution of such an order (3) : the sending back of a commission with the certificate of the commissioners b : an account or formal report c (1) : a report of the results of balloting —usually used in plural <election returns> (2) : an official declaration of the election of a candidate (3) chiefly British : election d (1) : a formal statement on a required legal form showing taxable income, allowable deductions and exemptions, and the computation of the tax due (2) : a list of taxable property
3
a : the continuation usually at a right angle of the face or of a member of a building or of a molding or group of moldings b : a means for conveying something (as water) back to its starting point
4
a : a quantity of goods, consignment, or cargo coming back in exchange for goods sent out as a mercantile venture b : the value of or profit from such venture c (1) : the profit from labor, investment, or business : yield (2) plural : results d : the rate of profit in a process of production per unit of cost
5
a : the act of returning something to a former place, condition, or ownership : restitution <the return of stolen goods> b : something returned; especially plural : unsold publications returned to the publisher for cash or credit
6
7
: an answering play: as a : a lead in a suit previously led by one's partner in a card game b : the action or an instance of returning a ball (as in football or tennis)
See return defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RETURN
14th century
3return
adjective
: used in or taken for returning to a place
: happening or done for the second time
: used or paying for a trip that takes you to a place and back to the place you started from
Full Definition of RETURN
1
a : having or formed by a change of direction <a return facade> b : doubled on itself <a return flue>
2
a : played, delivered, or given in return <return fire from the enemy> b : taking place for the second time <a return meeting for the two champions>
3
: used or taken on returning <the return road>
4
: returning or permitting return <a return valve>
5
: of, relating to, or causing a return to a place or condition <use the prestamped return envelope>
See return defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RETURN
1676
RETURNING Defined for Kids
1return
verb re·turn \ri-ˈtərn\
re·turnedre·turn·ing
Definition of RETURN for Kids
1
: to come or go back again <Birds return each spring.>
2
: to bring, give, send, or put back <Have you returned your library book?>
3
: repay 1 <She never returned the borrowed money.>
4
: to respond in the same way <I returned the compliment.>
5
: to make an official report of <The jury returned a verdict.>
2return
noun
Definition of RETURN for Kids
1
: the act of coming or going back to a place or condition <They await his return home.> <She hoped for a return to normal.>
2
: recurrence <the return of spring>
3
: the act of returning something (as to a former condition or owner) <He thanked me for the return of his wallet.>
4
: something given in payment or exchange <She asked nothing in return.>
5
: a report of the results of voting <election returns>
6
: a statement of income to be taxed
7
: the profit from labor, investment, or business
3return
adjective
Definition of RETURN for Kids
1
: happening or done for the second time <a return visit>
2
: used for returning <a return ticket>
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