giveback

noun give·back \ ˈgiv-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 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

Ethiopia is to give back the town of Badme, whose disputed ownership was a cause of the war, and should gain access to Eritrea’s Red Sea ports.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 12 July 2018
And Williams started giving back by helping Barnett with his fledgling organization — helping out on the playground in the summer months, helping to get the group situated in its first building, coaching basketball, and, of course mentoring.

— amy schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In 1980, a 19-year-old helped a Milwaukee kid make better choices. Today, they're still changing lives.," 9 July 2018
On Tuesday, Perla’s attorneys filed a lawsuit in a Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., to force the Trump administration to give back her child.

— dianna m. náñez, azcentral, "'A mother keeps her word': Lawsuit to help reunite migrant mother, daughter in Los Angeles," 1 July 2018
Plae is no stranger to giving back — the Plae It Forward program allows customers to make a yearly donation to an organization of their choice, through the brand’s website.

— flora tsapovsky, SFChronicle.com, "Plae’s sneakers are made for kids, but coveted by adults," 27 June 2018
For one of the researchers, Raul Vintimilla, being able to give back to the Hispanic community was important.

— hanaa’ tameez and rodger mallison, star-telegram, "Mexican-Americans show signs of Alzheimer's 10 years earlier than others, study says," 19 June 2018
The organization was founded in 2003 by Andy and Barb Fremder, who were looking for a way to give back to their community.

— ann killion, San Francisco Chronicle, "Steve Kerr’s other team: East Bay students headed for college," 5 June 2018
The debut of Projects, a performing group that uses their gifts to give back to others, was a night of original choreography, song, music and film.

— elizabeth moore, NOLA.com, "North Shore Notables: Project Love benefit helps mother battling cancer," 13 May 2018
Hudson and Eli, who are going into third grade this fall, have operated several lemonade stands over the past year to give back to the community.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Second graders' lemonade stands raise money for good causes," 1 July 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.