: a previous gain (such as an increase in wages or benefits) given back to management by workers (as in a labor contract)
gave back; given back; giving back; gives back
1
: to provide help or financial assistance to others in appreciation of one's own success or good fortune
… Gardner has refined the art of giving back by plowing 10 percent or more of his earnings into school and educational projects.—
Ernest Holsendolph
Ernest HolsendolphNo longer on the fringes of travel, voluntourism has attracted increasing numbers of travelers looking to learn new skills, meet people, and give back to the global community.—Manya Chylinski
Manya ChylinskiThe community had people with time to volunteer and give back.—Joshua Macht
Joshua MachtExamples of giveback in a Sentence
Noun
The union had to agree to certain givebacks in order to save the jobs of all its members.
Recent Examples on the WebKarl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
What are your thoughts on a giveback to an animal shelter?
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Feb. 2024
By contrast, the Fowler Museum uncovered the items’ illicit history on its own and initiated the giveback.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
Despite revenue declines, the state remains on track to run another surplus this year, unless the economy declines more sharply or Kemp and lawmakers ramp up tax givebacks.
—Jeff Amy, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2023
But that year, Even Stevens suspended its giveback program in a restructuring effort to repair its finances, and around then, also closed stores in Arizona, Colorado and Texas, The Tribune previously reported.
—Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
These special sales are usually made available to REI Co-op members, which is an annual membership program that gives you access to perks like major sale events, a 10% giveback on eligible purchases year-over-year, and a discount on gear rentals and member events.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2023
Mayo should be congratulated for its operating success at a difficult time, as well as for considering a giveback with some of the CARES Act funding, said Dr. Ziad Obermeyer, a health policy researcher at the University of California-Berkeley who was part of the study published in JAMA.
—Christopher Snowbeck, Star Tribune, 21 Aug. 2020
Gokey’s foundation works with local nonprofits to do meaningful community givebacks in cities where the Christian pop artist tours.
—La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2023
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2024
He was inspired by Mamo’s commitment to giving back and felt the Community Kitchen Program aligned perfectly with Scott Clark’s values.
—Shannon Greene, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
Metro Boomin is giving back to his hometown of St. Louis in honor of his late mother.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 21 May 2024
Country star Zach Bryan is giving back to his Oklahoma fans and neighbors.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 May 2024
This commitment to giving back has inspired others to join her cause, including her husband Eric, alongside immediate and extended family.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
Ryan Castro is giving back to his beloved Bogotá on his new album.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2024
The Mexica believed that humans had to give back to the gods, who had sacrificed themselves to create the current cycle of the world.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2024
His We The Best Foundation is his outlet for giving back and paying his success forward.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
Noun
However, Microsoft did not seek any tax concessions or other givebacks from the village in the development agreement that accompanied its second, larger land purchase.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 14 May 2024
What are your thoughts on a giveback to an animal shelter?
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Feb. 2024
By contrast, the Fowler Museum uncovered the items’ illicit history on its own and initiated the giveback.
—Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
Despite revenue declines, the state remains on track to run another surplus this year, unless the economy declines more sharply or Kemp and lawmakers ramp up tax givebacks.
—Jeff Amy, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2023
But that year, Even Stevens suspended its giveback program in a restructuring effort to repair its finances, and around then, also closed stores in Arizona, Colorado and Texas, The Tribune previously reported.
—Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Sep. 2023
These special sales are usually made available to REI Co-op members, which is an annual membership program that gives you access to perks like major sale events, a 10% giveback on eligible purchases year-over-year, and a discount on gear rentals and member events.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 17 Aug. 2023
Mayo should be congratulated for its operating success at a difficult time, as well as for considering a giveback with some of the CARES Act funding, said Dr. Ziad Obermeyer, a health policy researcher at the University of California-Berkeley who was part of the study published in JAMA.
—Christopher Snowbeck, Star Tribune, 21 Aug. 2020
Gokey’s foundation works with local nonprofits to do meaningful community givebacks in cities where the Christian pop artist tours.
—La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2023
Verb
Some volunteers said sacrificing their time and effort for the CIAA tournament is their way of giving back to the community.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2024
He was inspired by Mamo’s commitment to giving back and felt the Community Kitchen Program aligned perfectly with Scott Clark’s values.
—Shannon Greene, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
Metro Boomin is giving back to his hometown of St. Louis in honor of his late mother.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 21 May 2024
Country star Zach Bryan is giving back to his Oklahoma fans and neighbors.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 May 2024
This commitment to giving back has inspired others to join her cause, including her husband Eric, alongside immediate and extended family.
—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024
Ryan Castro is giving back to his beloved Bogotá on his new album.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2024
The Mexica believed that humans had to give back to the gods, who had sacrificed themselves to create the current cycle of the world.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 9 May 2024
His We The Best Foundation is his outlet for giving back and paying his success forward.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 8 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giveback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Giveback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giveback. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
giveback
noun
give·back
ˈgiv-ˌbak 
: a previous gain (as an increase in wages or benefits) given back to management by workers (as in a labor contract)
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