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

• 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

If the White House must be remade, let there be a plan; let it be debated; let the financing be transparent and free of kickbacks and corruption. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025

Fernandes Anderson was convicted in the spring on federal corruption charges tied to a City Hall kickback scheme. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025

Verb

Expect appearances from local brewers, live music, games and food – plus lots of funnily dressed dogs kicking back after their big show. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

The Daily Dividend Earnings season is kicking back into high gear. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Oct. 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.