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

The clinic also was accused in a whistleblower lawsuit of scheming to illegally solicit kickbacks from doctors and defraud federal health programs. —Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026

Clase allegedly began to request and receive bribes and kickback payments for agreeing to throw the specific pitches in April, according to the indictment. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026

Verb

Before or after a treatment, kick back in the crystal room, or unwind further in the sauna, steam pool, or indoor plunge pool. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026

Kutsenko, 31, steps outside into the freezing night, switches on a large rectangular generator and the power kicks back in. —Kamila Hrabchuk, Fortune, 8 Feb. 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
• 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.