giveback

1 of 2

noun

give·​back ˈgiv-ˌbak 

: a previous gain (such as an increase in wages or benefits) given back to management by workers (as in a labor contract)

give back

2 of 2

verb

gave back; given back; giving back; gives back

intransitive verb

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

No 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

The community had people with time to volunteer and give back.

—Joshua Macht

2

archaic : retire, retreat

… the enemy gave back …

—P. G. Wodehouse

… it is certain that he gave back and ordered his soldiers to commence a slow and guarded retreat.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Examples 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 Web

Noun

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1978, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Legal 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)