giveback

noun give·back \ ˈgiv-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of giveback

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

See giveback defined for English-language learners

Examples of giveback in a Sentence

The union had to agree to certain givebacks in order to save the jobs of all its members.

Recent Examples of giveback from the Web

Accounted for in this year’s budget is about $10 million in corporate donations and another $10 million in union givebacks.

— matthew ormseth, Courant Community, "With Council Approval, Hartford's $570 Million Budget Heads To Oversight Panel," 30 May 2018
Those savings stem from givebacks in new union contracts agreed to over the last two years.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Five Takeaways From Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin's New Budget," 17 Apr. 2018
Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau, isn't up for election until the fall of 2019, and as such, may have more reason to try to extend negotiations in an effort to lessen any givebacks.

— don lee, latimes.com, "Trump is pushing hard to reach NAFTA agreement, both with trading partners and with Congress," 24 Apr. 2018
Most of Hartford’s unions have agreed to substantial givebacks over the last two years, but the city is still negotiating with two groups.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin's Budget Will Face New Scrutiny From Oversight Board," 15 Apr. 2018
Bronin’s budget includes $10 million in savings from union givebacks that were agreed to over the last two years.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin Releases Spending Plan Amid State Scrutiny," 16 Apr. 2018
Teachers and administrators have already agreed to givebacks in their contracts, including a higher deductible for health insurance, said McKenna.

— janice steinhagen, Courant Community, "Plainfield, Griswold Grapple With ECS Funding Cuts," 14 Dec. 2017
In his letter to Malloy and lawmakers, Bronin has asked the state to help the city put pressure on bondholders by making new money contingent on Wall Street givebacks.

— jenna carlesso, Courant Community, "Bond Insurer: Hartford Bankruptcy Would Be 'Black Eye' For State," 25 Sep. 2017
The real question here is what kind of giveback do the Rams get for doing the deal now?

— albert breer, SI.com, "10 Things I Think I Think About NFL Roster Cutdown Day," 3 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'giveback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of giveback

1978

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

give back

verb

Definition of give back

intransitive verb

: retire, retreat

transitive verb

: to send in return or reply : restore, return

Recent Examples of give back from the Web

So, the engines recommend giving back the exchange with 18.f4 Bxh1 19.Rxh1 Nc4 20.Bc1 Qb6 21.Rd1 Rc8 22.f5 and though Black is definitely better White can keep playing.

— chris chase, BostonGlobe.com, "Chess notes," 17 June 2018
The Youth Hall of Fame Community Service Award was created in 2001 in honor of Walter B. Arnold Jr., also known as Mr. Youth Fair, and aims to recognize students who give back to their community.

— adrianne richardson, miamiherald, "Two students win $1,000 Miami-Dade County Youth Fair service awards," 12 June 2018
One way that Levene Harvell gives back to her community through her events is by designating 100 percent of the net proceeds to Spelman College (her alma mater), students from Jamaica and sub-Saharan countries.

— terrell jermaine starr, The Root, "There Goes the Neighborhood: How Food Helps Drive Gentrification," 8 June 2018
Who’s going to give back the young and beautiful lives (and others) that have been devastated and destroyed by the phony Russia Collusion Witch Hunt?

— ryan teague beckwith, Time, "Read the 191 Arguments President Trump Has Made Against the Mueller Investigation," 7 June 2018
Both Linda and Drew have made giving back a major part of their lives.

— jennifer aldrich, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About Drew Scott's Wife, Linda Phan," 2 June 2018
The limited price reaction, with copper futures giving back small gains, suggested some traders expected the decision to be overturned in court.

— david hodari, WSJ, "Gold Pressured Despite Political Trouble in Europe," 29 May 2018
The big reason given back then by Congress was to maintain sports as a public display of talent, effort, and teamwork – the very opposite of a belief in chance.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Mixing sports and sports gambling is no game," 14 May 2018
Social awareness came early; Meghan was raised to give back.

— leslie carroll, Vanities, "How Meghan Markle Was Destined for the Spotlight," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'give back.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.