give back

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 give back in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The limited-time cocktail delivers bright summer vibes while giving back to the community. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026

That gave back a chunk of its rise from this week caused by the latest flare-ups of fighting between Iran and the United States and its allies. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Jacob is also part of a culinary class that gives back to the community by teaching older adults how to use new technology at a local senior center. —CBS News, 3 June 2026

The stock climbed as much as 7% in extended trading before giving back those gains. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for give back

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback

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)