kickback

1 of 2

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

1

: a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercion

… every city contract had been let with a ten percent kickback to city officials.

—D. K. Shipler

2

: a sharp violent reaction

kick back

2 of 2

verb

kicked back; kicking back; kicks back

intransitive verb

: to assume a relaxed position or attitude

also : to spend time relaxing : take it easy

spent the weekend just kicking back

Synonyms of kickback

Verb

• relax
• rest
• bask

Examples of kickback in a Sentence

Noun

Several company executives were accused of accepting kickbacks.

Verb

I plan to spend the day kicking back and watching television.

a good resort for people who want to kick back and watch others exercise strenuously

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Starting in 1995, the UN’s oil-for-food program allowed Iraq to sell some oil to pay for civilian necessities, but Saddam used the profits to pay kickbacks instead. — S. C. M. Paine, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026

Heavy Is the Crown resembles a mainstream rap sampler of sorts, and its default settings are the kickback and the car stereo. — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026

Verb

Maybe just relax, grab yourself a beer from the garage fridge, kick back and enjoy some Nightcaps. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Next week, the women head to Bethany Beach, Wendy and Stacey’s on-again/off-again dynamic kicks back up, and the Eileen Davidson accords are finally lifted. — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kickback

• anti-kickback

Rhymes for kickback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

kickback

1 of 2 noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a secret return of part of a sum of money received

kick back

2 of 2 verb

: relax sense 4

Legal Definition

kickback

noun

kick·​back ˈkik-ˌbak 

: a payment (as of money or property) made to one in a position to open up or control a source of income for the payor

convicted of receiving kickbacks for referrals

compare bribe, payoff

Note: A kickback is specifically a payment for income received or to be received. The word is usually not restricted to a return of funds.