: 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 Web
Gigi Schweikert, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Life sciences saw a bit of a giveback of the pandemic-era job growth that was fueled in part by a surging investment in biotech tools, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and genomics.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Past honorees have included educators, pastors, philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, artists, medical pioneers, entrepreneurs, researchers, advocates for veterans and those with disabilities and small business owners who give back to the community.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveback
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Noun
To keep teams aligned, regularly revisit your mission with your team through workshops, meetings, training sessions and community giveback initiatives.
—Gigi Schweikert, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Life sciences saw a bit of a giveback of the pandemic-era job growth that was fueled in part by a surging investment in biotech tools, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and genomics.
—Kate Murphy, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Tim Lammers In addition, Schwarzenegger noted how important to give back when you’re given opportunities.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Past honorees have included educators, pastors, philanthropists, nonprofit leaders, artists, medical pioneers, entrepreneurs, researchers, advocates for veterans and those with disabilities and small business owners who give back to the community.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveback
Cite this Entry
“Giveback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giveback. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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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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