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

Verb

• bask
• loll
• lounge
• relax
• repose
• rest

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

The indictment states that Fernandes Anderson carried out a kickback scheme in the spring of 2023. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025

Chapman and Kelly received kickbacks from loan applicants, according to prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025

Verb

Learn to Make Cocktails in a Speakeasy After cycling the Going-to-the-Sun Road or hiking the Highline Trail, there’s nothing better than kicking back and reliving your adventures in Glacier National Park over a great drink—or better yet, learning how to make one yourself. —Joni Sweet, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Not all of us seek the heart-stopping excitement of steep waterslides; some of us find true joy from kicking back and floating peacefully down a lazy river. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2025

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
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

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.