bring back
verb
brought back; bringing back; brings back
1
: to come back with (something or someone)
What did you bring back (with you) from your vacation?
Bring your roommate back with you when you come home for the holidays.
You promised to bring me back a present.
2
: to cause (something or someone) to return or be returned
The death penalty was done away with in this area many years ago, but some people now want it to be brought back.
The movie is a fantasy about a man who is brought back (to life) from the dead.
The company is doing poorly, and its former president is being brought back to help solve its problems.
3
: to cause (something or someone) to return to a condition, subject, etc.
That question brings us back (again) to the fundamental problem of world peace.
We gradually brought the conversation back to the subject of his unpaid bills.
4
: to cause (something) to return to someone's memory
Seeing her again brought back a lot of happy memories.
I had almost forgotten about the time we spent together, but seeing her again brought it all back (to me).
Cite this Entry
“Bring back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bring%20back. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
